Evidence of meeting #60 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 chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
6:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair (Mr. Robert Morrissey (Egmont, Lib.)) Liberal Bobby Morrissey
I call the meeting to order. The clerk has advised that we have a quorum, and the witnesses have been tested.
6:35 p.m.
Liberal
Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON
Chair, I know we're about to start with the witnesses, but if it's possible, I'd like to move a quick motion about the timelines for the submission of amendments, if I may.
6:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Okay. If you can let me formally get into the meeting, I will come to you.
Welcome to meeting number 60 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022. Therefore, members are attending in person and virtually using the Zoom application.
To ensure an orderly meeting, I would like to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members.
Before speaking, please wait until I recognize you by name. For those participating virtually, please use the “raise hand” function. Before speaking, click on the microphone icon to activate your own mike. For those in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. Your microphone will be controlled by the proceedings and verification officer. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order.
You may speak in the official language of your choice. Interpretation services are available. If there is a loss of interpretation services, please get my attention by raising your hand. We'll suspend while it is being corrected.
I would like to remind all participants that screenshots are not allowed to be taken and are not permitted.
Should any technical issues arise, please get my attention by raising your hand. We'll suspend while they're being dealt with.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Friday, February 3, 2023, the committee will continue its study of Bill C‑35, an act respecting early learning and child care in Canada.
I would like to inform all members that the witnesses appearing virtually today have completed the technical tests to check their connectivity and equipment.
I would like to welcome our witnesses to begin our discussion with five minutes of opening remarks, followed by questions. I'll introduce the witnesses, and then I'll go to Ms. Saks.
In the first hour, we have Julie Bisnath, program coordinator. We have from the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, Alain Dupuis, executive director, and Jean-Luc Racine, representative. From the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon, we have Dr. Christa Japel, representing on screen, and we have Fannie Dagenais, director, but we're still working out communications issues.
Before I get you to begin your five-minute comments, I will go to Ms. Saks.
6:35 p.m.
Liberal
Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I believe the clerk has received what I have and that it's in order.
For the case of housekeeping, we lost two meetings because of the budget and the visit of President Biden. Making sure that we're moving along well, I'd like to propose:
That amendments be submitted to the clerk of the committee in both official languages no later than 1:00 p.m, EST, Tuesday, April 11 2023; that the clerk of the committee write immediately to each member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the committee and any independent members to inform them of the study of Bill C-35 by the committee and to invite them to prepare and submit any proposed amendments to Bill C-35 which they would suggest that the committee consider during the clause-by-clause study of the Bill; and the committee begin clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill on April 18, 2023.
6:35 p.m.
Liberal
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I wonder if we can recess for a couple of minutes, so that we can have a look at the motion and see how this is different from what the timeline currently is?
6:35 p.m.
Liberal
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
It's unfortunate that this is taking witness time, but since this just came in, we need to look at it.
6:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
We'll resume.
The committee has before it a motion that's deemed in order.
Is there any discussion on the motion before the committee?
Ms. Saks.
6:40 p.m.
Liberal
Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
This was presented more as a friendly motion to keep the train moving, per se. If you look at the timeline of April 11, you see that gives members a week to really sit and digest the information and be well prepared, so that when we come back we can do the important work that needs to be done on the clause-by-clause. It's just in light of the fact that time got eaten up between the budget and President Biden.
Usually there's one motion that tracks out the timeline on this, and we got a little lost in the shuffle. This was just an effort to put us back on track, so that we can get to the important work of going through the legislation.
6:40 p.m.
Conservative
Michelle Ferreri Conservative Peterborough—Kawartha, ON
I'm happy to discuss this motion further, but right now what I would suggest is we move to adjourn this motion so we can get to the witnesses.
We can talk about this at committee business. I don't want to waste the witnesses' time.
6:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Let's be clear on your motion. Is it to suspend debate on the motion and resume with the committee?
6:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Yes.
Just so we're clear, we're calling the vote to suspend debate on the motion of Ms. Saks.
6:40 p.m.
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
I have a point of order, then, Mr. Chair.
Our staff don't have a copy of the motion. It would be normal protocol. Our parliamentary staff who are here actually don't even have a copy of the motion.