Evidence of meeting #3 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 amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
I also agree with Mr. Long’s suggestion. We have the bill in front of us, and we are able to read it. Actually, we have done so, since we have read it to determine whether or not to propose amendments.
I mostly agree with the suggestion because I don’t understand the purpose of insisting on doing this reading. Surely there is one, which is certainly not to do the reading. Finally, I would agree with not doing it anymore.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, then.
It appears there's a consensus within the committee for that. We will not proceed with reading verbatim the bill that's before you.
Madame Kusie, do you have an amendment to clause 2?
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
I do.
I'll remember the consideration given to other members of this committee when they ask for some type of consideration.
Chair, thank you very much.
It is that Bill C-3, in clause 2, be amended by adding after line 25 on page 1 the following:
(2.1) Every person commits an offence who engages in any conduct with the intent to provoke a state of fear in a critical infrastructure worker in order to impede them in the performance of their duties.
By replacing line 2 on page 2 with the following:
tion, (1) or (2) or (2.1) is
By replacing line 7 on page 2 with the following:
(4) No person is guilty of an offence under subsection (2) or (2.1)
By adding, after line 13 on page 2, the following:
(6) In this section, critical infrastructure worker means a person who conducts or supports operations or services that are essential to the health, safety, security or economic well-being of Canadians including in relation to food supply, electricity grids, pipelines, communications and transportation.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Madame Kusie, I believe those amendments are not admissible as they are outside the scope of the bill.
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Okay. Certainly.
I would be interested to hear according to whom and the justification for that, please.
Legislative Clerk
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The bill relates to the health services. My understanding, from just reading the amendment, is that it talks about critical infrastructure workers. As I said, the bill talks about health services.
This amendment adds a new concept and it's not related to the bill itself. Therefore, it would expand the scope of the bill, which is not procedurally allowed.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Okay. The committee has heard the amendment and my ruling on it.
Madame Kusie.
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Thank you very much to our analysts.
I would also state, though, that outside of the term “health services”, it also refers to the offence of obstructing or interfering. If we were to replace “critical infrastructure worker” with “health services provider”, I think it would actually be within the realm of the bill. Certainly, I'm willing to accept the analysts' interpretation, but I do think it is relevant.
Thank you, Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Ms. Kusie.
We shall now vote on clause 2.
(Clause 2 agreed to)
(On clause 3)
Legislative Clerk
For the benefit of the members, clause 3 is on page 2 of the bill, in the middle.
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Chair, again, I didn't give my consent for it to carry. I genuinely believe you should wait for my consent for it to carry, as the official opposition, please. Again, I recognize the urgency of this, but we are moving relatively quickly through it. Certainly, after I've identified and have had a chance to review it again briefly in my own slow reading time, I will more than likely carry it. Thank you, Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Madam Clerk, I'll ask for a recorded vote on clause 3.
(Clause 3 agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)
(On clause 4)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
On clause 4, I will call for a recorded vote.
(Clause 4 agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)
Clause 4 is carried.
On clause 5, I see no discussion. Shall clause 5 carry?
It will be a recorded vote.
(Clause 5 agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)
Clause 5 is carried.
On clause 6, shall clause 6 carry?
It will be a recorded vote.
(Clause 6 agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)
Clause 6 is carried.
(On clause 7)
I understand, Madam Kusie, you have an amendment.
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Yes, I have an amendment to clause 7, and please tell me if this is taking too much time to read. I move that Bill C-3 in clause 7 be amended by adding, after line 15 on page 4, the following:
(1.7) For greater certainty, subsections (1.2) to (1.6) do not apply to an employee who is entitled to rights or benefits under a collective agreement, contract, custom or arrangement that are at least as favourable to the employee as the medical leave of absence with pay conferred by this Division.
Liberal
Legislative Clerk
Madam Kusie, I think you have another amendment before this one. The last four digits of the reference number are 9594.
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Pardon me. I'll be withdrawing that amendment, Chair.
Thank you.
(Amendment withdrawn)
Liberal