Evidence of meeting #28 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was travel.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Madam Minister.
Thank you, Ms. Chabot.
Now we'll go to Madam Zarrillo for two and a half minutes.
12:45 p.m.
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I think the urgency of the passport matter has been well expressed in the committee. I want to pivot to child care, because this is an opportunity for me to advocate for the French parents in B.C.
I wanted to share with the minister that I had a meeting with the francophone federation of B.C. recently around some gender discrepancies that happen in the francophone community. For example, gender-based violence initiatives are being funded through Canadian Heritage, rather than through Women and Gender Equality. One of the big concerns that came up in our conversation was the lack of a language clause in child care agreements between the feds and the province. This is a concern for francophone families who want to have service in the official language of their choice.
I'm wondering if there are discussions or if something is being implemented as a language clause in these child care agreements with the provinces to protect the official languages and access to child care in both official languages.
12:50 p.m.
Liberal
Karina Gould Liberal Burlington, ON
Certainly. To reiterate, the department officials at Service Canada really feel and understand the urgency of passports and are working around the clock to address it, so thank you for raising that.
To clarify, there are official language clauses in every single agreement that we have with the provinces and territories, with the exception of the asymmetric agreement that we have with Quebec. There is a requirement that each province and territory create and maintain either the equivalent of or a number greater than the francophone population in their province or territory. That is in every single agreement.
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
That's interesting, because I understand from them that it gets reviewed every five years, but what I heard from the francophone federation of B.C. was that, in these new child care agreements, it was missing. Are you saying that's not true?
12:50 p.m.
Liberal
Karina Gould Liberal Burlington, ON
I will be happy to send it to you. All of the agreements are available on our website, as are the two-year action plans that have been negotiated. We can find that clause and send it through. It is part of the agreements.
We have negotiated agreements and action plans. They're two-year action plans. We then have implementation committee meetings between the federal and provincial or territorial governments twice a year to review progress and adjust as needed.
We're in the process of starting to renegotiate the next two-year action plan, and the agreement itself will be up for renewal within five years. That doesn't necessarily mean it will be renegotiated. It's likely that it would be renewed, hopefully.
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
I would be really appreciative of that information. Thank you.
12:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Madam Zarrillo.
If it's the wish of the committee, we will move to adjourn. We don't have enough time to get another round in.
I see agreement.
With that, Madam Minister, thank you to you and your officials for appearing and for giving detailed answers to the questions from committee members.
With that, the committee is adjourned.