Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to make it clear to my fellow committee members and everyone tuning in who's part of these groups that the purpose of this subamendment is, in my opinion, essential.
I know we received a letter from the representatives of the 29 groups, who are concerned that the Bloc Québécois subamendment and the NDP amendment could result in people waiting longer for that money.
This subamendment has absolutely nothing to do with confidence. We sincerely believe that the current minister is determined to make this benefit a reality. As committee members, we're determined to make that possible too. That said, as things stand, the bill as written establishes eligibility criteria, conditions and the benefit amount by regulation. That is unheard of.
If we want to see the Canada disability benefit become law and if we want it to be mandatory, the House of Commons and Parliament must say so officially. If they don't, there's no guarantee.
Think of it this way.
Anyone at all could issue a regulation stating that the Canadian benefit is $5 a month, say. Another government could decide to eliminate the benefit. That would be meaningless because the House of Commons and parliamentarians would not have given it the force of law that would have created the requirement for a Canadian benefit. The bill does not create the benefit. It authorizes the Governor in Council to make a regulation. It doesn't create it.
For example, it would have been inconceivable for the guaranteed income supplement, old age security and the Canada child benefit to be decided by regulation. Those are laws. That's the purpose of our amendment.
The NDP amendment calls for the tabling of a report, but it doesn't introduce a mandatory aspect to the Canadian benefit, which is what our subamendment brings to the table. The only way to guarantee the benefit and make it permanent is for the House of Commons to vote on the regulation.
The idea is not to ignore the “nothing without us” principle. I think that what everyone wants is for us to contribute to the regulatory part.
Unfortunately, there won't have to be a law for all of clause 11.1. Many issues fall under the regulatory aspects, but the first three paragraphs are crucial.
If we want to make sure a Canadian benefit becomes a reality, I think it requires the approval of parliamentarians. The goal of the subamendment is to make this act and this benefit permanent and guaranteed.