Human Resources Committee on Dec. 10th, 2024

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Federally regulated industries are legally obligated to publish accessibility plans and progress reports. However, as the executive director of Spinal Cord Injury Canada, Mr. Bill Adair, told the committee, “Over 400 large federally regulated entities are ignoring the requirement”, and nothing is being done to enforce it.

Either the obligation is not legally enforceable, or your government is not requiring enforcement. Which one is it?

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

Mr. Chair, through you, perhaps the honourable member would let me answer the question.

We have the office of the accessibility commissioner, who actually leads and does this work. I would love to turn to my official on that. She can give you the exact standards and regulations that we have put forward and that have been acted on.

If I may, I will—

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

We had two witnesses who told this committee during this study—

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

Would you like an answer?

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

—that it is not—

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

Would you like an answer?

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Perhaps you can provide that answer in writing to this committee.

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

I think it's important, since I have two hours, that you should get an answer to your question.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Pardon me, Chair?

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

Do you want an answer?

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Is that through you or is that to me, Chair?

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

May I ask the honourable member if she would she like an answer?

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Please provide the answer in writing. I've given two different questions, and I haven't received it yet—

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

Mr. Chair, she has two hours with me and she doesn't want to listen to an answer.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

—so perhaps the department could please provide that.

Do you think we can realistically achieve a barrier-free Canada by 2040 without compliance measures?

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

We have strict compliance measures, honourable member. Up to $250,000 in fines can be enacted.

I would love to turn to my officials on that.

Kristina, do you mind talking about it?

[Kristina Namiesniowski, Senior Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Employment and Social Development]

Thank you, Minister.

I think it's important to recognize—

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Actually, I have very limited time. We know that it's been very difficult to get the minister here to this committee. I would like to get in writing whatever you are unable to provide right now in live time.

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

You clearly don't want answers.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Are you able to provide the data to this committee that demonstrates the progress toward a barrier-free Canada and what the government has done? Can the department or the minister provide that in writing to the committee?

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

Through the chair, may I ask if you want an answer?

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Okay. I'm going to say that they're going to—

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Saint John—Rothesay, NB]

I have a point of order.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Go ahead, Mr. Long.