Evidence of meeting #64 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.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Is there any further discussion on the subamendment?
Go ahead, Mr. Godin.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, I just wanted us to state the subamendment clearly so we could discuss it or make a decision. What we received does not correspond to what we are discussing.
3:55 p.m.
The Clerk
If I may, Mr. Chair, I will clarify the wording of the proposed subamendment.
In point (c) of the amendment, which refers to lines 28 and 29 on page 3 of the bill, rather than saying "taining long-term funding for the provinces, Indigenous peoples and official language minority communities for the establishment and mainte-," it would say "taining long-term funding for the provinces, Indigenous peoples and francophone minority communities for the establishment and mainte-."
The same thing would be done in the French version of point (b). It would now say "nue avec les provinces, les peuples autochtones et les communautés francophones en situation minoritaire" rather than "communautés de langue officielle."
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Do all committee members understand the subamendment that's been circulated and proposed by Madam Bérubé?
I believe I have Ms. Gray next and then Madam Gazan.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The subamendment is talking about clause 11, but I believe we're on clause 5, are we not? The subamendment isn't matching what we're referencing here and what our amendment was with CPC-0.1. It's not aligning. I'm very confused about what the discussion is.
Thank you.
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
That's why I requested a brief suspension while we clarified exactly what—
April 25th, 2023 / 3:55 p.m.
Liberal
3:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Yes. We'll suspend while we get this corrected.
You're correct, Madam Gray.
We'll suspend for a couple of minutes.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
We will resume the meeting.
Madam Bérubé, we need a clarification on your subamendment.
Committee members, I've been advised by the clerk that we need to suspend for at least four more minutes while the subamendment is being redrafted.
I would urge all members of the committee, when you're preparing amendments or subamendments, to have them prepared accurately so they're in on time. We had adequate time to prepare for this meeting.
We'll suspend for four more minutes while it is being drafted correctly.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
We will resume.
It's my understanding that all members should have a copy or you will be getting it shortly. You will have a copy of the subamendment by Madam Bérubé.
As soon as we have it, if there's no further discussion on it, then we will go to a vote.
Does everybody have it?
Madam Bérubé's subamendment is to the amendment by Mr. Godin on clause 5.
Madam Gazan.
4:15 p.m.
NDP
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Let's focus, committee members. I want to give everyone the opportunity to see the subamendment being proposed by Madam Bérubé.
Madam Gazan...?
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Is there any discussion on this subamendment of Madam Bérubé?
Mr. Godin.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
In fact, Mr. Chair, I simply want to reiterate what I said earlier. I think we have to take both official languages into consideration. I understand that the Bloc Québécois is concerned about Quebec, but we think that considering that we are members of the Parliament of Canada, we have to take both official languages into consideration. I think it is important to make this distinction.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Mr. Godin.
Seeing no other discussion, I'll ask the clerk to call a recorded vote on the subamendment of Madam Bérubé.
(Subamendment negatived: nays 10; yeas 1 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We'll move to the amendment of Mr. Godin.
Is there any further discussion?
Ms. Saks.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
Ya'ara Saks Liberal York Centre, ON
Just to clarify, we're now voting on the original amendment submitted by Mr. Godin.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Yes. To be clear, it's the amendment of Mr. Godin.
Go ahead, Mr. Godin.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Since I moved this amendment some time ago, I want to make sure that everyone clearly understands that the purpose is to take the official languages into consideration in this bill concerning child care programs.
I think it is important that young children in official language minority communities receive services in their own language. We have to make sure that access is protected. I think this should be apparent in all future bills, considering that this is what Bill C-13 seems to say.
I suggest that we be very careful from now on to make sure that the two official languages are considered when it comes to programs.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Mr. Godin.
Seeing no further discussion, there's a call for recorded vote on the amendment of Mr. Godin on clause 5.
(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)
(Clause 5 agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)
(On clause 6)
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
4:20 p.m.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Thank you, Chair.
I want to amend clause 6 by replacing lines 29 and 30 on page 4 with the following:
programs and services that are culturally appropriate, that are led by Indigenous peoples and that respect the right of Indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent in matters relating to children.
In the last session, we passed Bill C-15. Section 5 of that act states:
The Government of Canada must, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the Declaration.
This is the first occasion on which we can actually uphold the intent of that act and the legal obligations of that act.
It's my understanding that all members of Parliament have committed to reconciliation in this country, and at the very core of reconciliation is to give us back our rights of our children. That means that, in all matters respecting our children, indigenous people should have their free, prior and informed consent upheld.
Unfortunately, as we meet here today to discuss this bill, in real time that is not happening. I'll give you a couple of examples. At this moment in time, 2023, indigenous women continue to experience forced sterilization. That's an attack on our rights as mothers of our children. A second example is regarding reports of birth alerts, which still occur in this country—in real time.
I don't know where I would ever argue that any parent has the free, prior and informed consent over matters impacting their children. Unfortunately, for indigenous peoples in Canada, particularly mothers, that continues not to happen. I urge members of this committee, in an act of reconciliation, if we are to move forward in this country, we must first recognize the need to give indigenous people our children back.
I've had many good discussions with many of you around the room about the value of this bill, of this amendment, in terms of a real act of reconciliation in this country. I feel that we're ready for that. I certainly wouldn't debate any parental right to free, prior and informed consent, but unfortunately that's still not the case for indigenous people in this country.
I am looking forward to this moment, to working together to reconcile in this country in a real way.
I'll leave it there. Thank you.
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Ms. Gazan.
Is there discussion on the amendment by Ms. Gazan?
I had Ms. Saks and then.... Is there a point of order?
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON
No. I just have a question for the mover of the amendment, so you can put me on the regular list.
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Okay.
Ms. Saks has the floor, and then we'll go to you, Mr. Coteau.
Ms. Saks.