Evidence of meeting #17 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was families.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
At the end of the day, these are all measures that you voted against.
Conservative
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
Minister, do you think families should be able to afford to feed their own families, yes or no?
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Of course.
You quoted a woman in the House of Commons the other day. The woman was on Ontario disability and relied on the Canada child benefit, and she specifically said that. Yet you voted against her very interest.
Conservative
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
Well, guess what? Due to inflation, baby formula prices have gone up higher.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
When you are not advocating for all parents, including those who cannot work, I actually find this question a bit shallow. Quite frankly, I want to say that—
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
—there are opportunities for affordability in budget 2025—
Conservative
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
—that support struggling mothers, and you voted against them, time and time again.
Liberal
Conservative
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
Thank you.
There is nothing shallow in advocating for something. This has gone up by 84% in eight years alone. This has gone up way higher than any other food item in this entire country. This is critical. Families are paying the price. They don't have a choice. There is nothing else that can be done. There are families who are literally forced to introduce cow's milk earlier than recommended. They are introducing solid foods earlier than recommended because they cannot afford to feed their babies formula. They are buying what they know to be stolen baby formula. Baby formula is the number one stolen food item in this country.
What I am saying to you—
Liberal
Conservative
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
My question to you is this: Have you brought this to the Prime Minister, yes or no?
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
As I have said, the Prime Minister is laser focused on affordability. You had a chance, as a member of Parliament, to support struggling mothers, and you chose to walk away from them. Every single time—
Conservative
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
I support struggling families and all families, every single day.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
—people say that they need support, this government steps up, whether it's through a generous Canada child benefit, through supports for people living with disabilities, by reducing the cost of child care—
Conservative
Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB
Mr. Chair, this is completely unacceptable.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
—or whether it's making sure we are there for people who are struggling.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Minister.
I give reasonable flexibility.
We'll now move to Ms. Fancy for five minutes.
Liberal
Jessica Fancy-Landry Liberal South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
Chair, thank you.
Through you, Chair, once again, I want to thank you, Minister, for coming today.
I would be remiss, as a rural advocate and researcher, if I didn't ask you some questions regarding rural. Rural economies like mine in South Shore—St. Margarets feel national labour disruptions very quickly. Could you highlight how the government's approach has actually helped maintain economic stability in regions like mine on the south shore while still supporting workers' rights.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Absolutely. There are two ways. We've talked about sectors that are deeply impacted by tariffs. In that approach, what we're doing is supporting companies and supporting workers. That's really to primarily make sure that companies have the time and the breathing room to be able to pivot to new products and pivot to new markets.
I would also say that, when you're talking about labour disruption, that's such an important component. It's why section 107 exists in the code. A minister of labour's responsibility is, of course, to uphold the rights that are established for unions and for collective bargaining. But as you will note in section 107, the minister also has an important role to establish industrial peace. As I said, 97% of disputes that arrive at the federal mediation service don't require work stoppage. They are resolved through the diligence of both parties and the mediators who work to find a new collective agreement. However, there are times when parties say they are at an impasse.
In fact, that is what both parties said in the Air Canada dispute. The union workers and the corporation said they were at impasse despite all the efforts of the federal mediation service. In that case, it was my opinion that, given both stated impasses, we needed help from the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The board, by the way, is an independent board that can provide advice to the minister and the parties and can sometimes resolve disputes.
Liberal
Jessica Fancy-Landry Liberal South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
Perfect.
In terms of regarding advice, I'd like to talk a little bit about the Conservative anti-union history we have in this country. Compared with past governments that undermined those collective bargaining agreements, this government has taken a very strong pro-worker approach. I'm wondering if you could speak to how that commitment has improved labour relations and helped support fair negotiations.