Evidence of meeting #7 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 young.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
Thank you, Ms. Watts.
It's an interesting description, Ms. Watts-Rynard, “clunky”. I think it does define too many.
President, Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses of Canada
Can I just add?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
That's our time.
We have to conclude with Mr. Joseph.
Mr. Joseph, you have the floor for five minutes.
Liberal
Natilien Joseph Liberal Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, everyone, especially the witnesses. I thank them very much for being here.
Last week, we heard from other witnesses who addressed the issue of unemployment among young people from diverse backgrounds. When I talk about diversity, I'm referring to various aspects, whether it be someone's gender, ethnicity, religion or even disability, among other things.
Ms. Watts‑Rynard, I'd like to hear your opinion on that. Why is the unemployment rate for diverse youth more than double the national average? What do you think are the main causes, and how can employers be part of the situation?
Chief Executive Officer, Polytechnics Canada
My sense is that within institutions we are still finding that there is a self-chosen pathway that sometimes speaks to what we think is going to be in high demand and then we find that is not necessarily the case.
I think giving some young people some direction when, for example, they're in high school, they're coming from an immigrant community where the sense is to head for the gold level standard.... If you think about some of the language that is used, particularly when we're talking about an immigrant population and wanting the best and the brightest, what you actually mean is you want Ph.D.s , not people who are going into the skilled trades.
That's the underlying message that is being given to youth, regardless of their background. Those are things that we have to be able to address. If it's about workforce demand, we shouldn't have policies and procedures in place that say that graduate students and Ph.D.s get better treatment than technical occupation students.
Liberal
Natilien Joseph Liberal Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC
Thank you very much for your answer, but I wasn't just talking about immigration. I was also talking about disability. Disability has no race or colour.
I will now turn to Mr. Nauta.
Some witnesses have clearly said that immigrants aren't stealing the work of our young people, but others say the opposite. On the other hand, there are people who accuse young people of not wanting to work in factories. I'm a bit confused.
Do you have any suggestions for us to change those people's mindset?
Program Director, Work and Economics, Cardus
Yes, thank you.
I think one of the answers is that we, as a society, have to get past the idea that there's menial work and then there's intellectual work. This is a false distinction and an unhelpful one.
This goes back to the parity of esteem issue that Ms. Watts-Rynard was speaking about earlier. I think we have to send a message that there is no menial work and that work has value and dignity, regardless of who is doing it or what the work is. That doesn't mean that it's going to be valued the same way in the market, but it doesn't mean that it isn't valuable to the person. That's really, I guess, the message that I'm trying to get at with the dignity of work.
Also, for too long we have overvalued certain kinds of career paths at the expense of others. I think a strong message from this committee, from Parliament or from the Government of Canada to indicate that there is no menial work and that work can be meaningful, regardless of the nature of it, would go a long way towards that.
Liberal
Natilien Joseph Liberal Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Nauta.
Do I have any time left, Mr. Chair?
Liberal
Natilien Joseph Liberal Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC
I'll let them run out, then. I was satisfied with the answers I received.
Thank you.
Program Director, Work and Economics, Cardus
May I take the 10 seconds just to address your issue about people with disabilities?
Program Director, Work and Economics, Cardus
It's just to say that this is an area of research that we have focused on as well at Cardus, to indicate that in the same way, people with disabilities need to be given opportunities in the labour market as well. Efforts in that respect are very important.
I think we have to look to model employers, employers who incorporate people with disabilities into their operations. I would have a lot more to say, but I know, Mr. Chair, that we're out of time.
Conservative
Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake, SK
I know Ms. Swift wanted to respond to my question; I'll just ask whether she can supply a response in writing.
President, Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses of Canada
I'll be happy to.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey
If witnesses have something to add, they can always submit a written text to the clerk.
With that, thank you to the witnesses.
Committee members, our next meeting is on Thursday, when we continue with the study.
With that, is it the will of the committee to adjourn?