Evidence of meeting #26 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 study.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
How is that relationship defined, Chair?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
The reference is to eight versus four meetings, so if you want to subamend it to change the number—
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
The only subamendment allowed would be to change that number to something else.
Liberal
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
I'll move a subamendment then to move it from four meetings to three.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
No, we would have to vote on the amendment by Madame Larouche before we would—
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
I don't think that's correct, respectfully. If I can, I'll just explain.
If we vote for this amendment, then you likely will not allow another amendment to the number of meetings, because that would be amending a section that had already been amended. The only way for me to present a third option for the number of meetings is to subamend that same word. I don't think there's any other way to do it. I think procedurally this is the appropriate way of doing it.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Okay. We have a subamendment on the floor amending the amendment by Madame Larouche, which moved the number of meetings from eight to four. The subamendment by Mr. Genuis would move it to three meetings.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Can I speak to that subamendment as well?
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
I'll limit my comments on this to the length permitted by the rules with respect to moving subamendments.
As I said in a different context, there are many issues presently before the committee. In determining the appropriate number of meetings for consideration of this matter, the committee does have to take into consideration the other business before it. It cannot make decisions about the number of meetings on a particular matter in a vacuum irrespective of the other matters that would possibly be considered.
The three meetings, unless they're to take place at a period outside of when they would regularly be scheduled or during the summer in a break week, would inevitably be at the expense of other meetings. Members will recall that I did propose summer meetings last summer, and I was apparently in the minority in wanting to devote my vacation time to the important work of HUMA. It was very sad.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Members, excuse me. I'm suspending the meeting because of a lack of decorum, to the call of the chair.
The meeting is suspended.
[The meeting was suspended at 6:03 p.m., Monday, February 23]
[The meeting resumed at 8:17 a.m., Thursday, February 26]
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Good morning, committee members. If you could, take your seats, please.
I am going to resume meeting number 26 of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
Before we begin, I want to remind members in the room to please silence your devices and refrain from tapping the mic, for the protection of our interpreters.
You can participate in today's meeting in the official language of your choice. In the room, please select the correct channel and make sure you're on it so you're getting the correct interpretation. If you're appearing virtually, please click on the globe icon at the bottom of your Surface and choose the official language of your choice. If there is an interruption in interpretation services, please get my attention and we'll suspend while it is being corrected.
We are resuming debate on the motion by Madame Koutrakis on the national school food program, as it is currently being amended by Madame Larouche and subamended by Mr. Genuis. The subamendment is to change the number of meetings proposed by Madame Larouche from four meetings to three meetings.
I will now open the floor for discussion. I see a couple of hands.
I have Mr. Genuis and then Madame Larouche, or was Madame Larouche first?
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
It doesn't matter to me. If she wants to speak first, that's okay.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Okay. I will start with Madame Larouche, and then it's Mr. Genuis.
Go ahead, Madame Larouche.
Bloc
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Chair, before starting the meeting, we had a discussion to sort out a formality before moving on to the discussion on Ms. Koutrakis's motion.
At the last committee meeting, I made a request that we again ask the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement to come and testify before the committee. We voted to have both ministers appear for two hours. We also received a letter from Minister Lightbound, saying that he wasn't sure if he was going to come.
If possible, I would like us to reiterate that the study on the Cúram software is relevant and remind Mr. Lightbound that a motion was passed by unanimous consent to request that he appear. Before we discuss the motion, I just want us to deal with this formality.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
At the moment, Madame Larouche, we have to deal with the motion that was on the floor when we suspended, but I will return to the item you referenced.
At this stage, I'll give the floor to Mr. Genuis on the subamendment we had when we suspended.
Mr. Genuis, you have the floor.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
There have been some good discussions among parties in the interim, so I'll try to dispose of this in a way that's as quick as possible.
You will probably find unanimous consent to deem the subamendment withdrawn and the amendment adopted, which would leave us with four meetings.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Mr. Genuis.
Do I have unanimous consent to withdraw the subamendment? I'm seeing a thumbs-up from everybody.
(Subamendment withdrawn)
Please repeat the second part, Mr. Genuis.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
It is that the original amendment from Ms. Larouche be deemed adopted. I will then have another amendment to propose after that.
February 26th, 2026 / 8:20 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Yes, we'll dispose of it.
Do I sense agreement on the second item?
(Amendment agreed to)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
We will now return to debate on the main motion by Madame Koutrakis as it was amended.
Mr. Genuis, you have the floor.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Thank you, Chair.
We have an amendment to propose, which we sent late last night. The translation is not ready, so I will read it out.
Liberal