Evidence of meeting #51 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was diversity.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:40 a.m.
Director General, Marketplace Framework Policy Branch, Strategic Policy Sector, Department of Industry
My answer was that the general contours are as I've described. So—
9:40 a.m.
Director General, Marketplace Framework Policy Branch, Strategic Policy Sector, Department of Industry
Contours. There would be guidance to corporations that diversity would be included but not limited to the employment equity groups.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Ben Lobb Conservative Huron—Bruce, ON
Okay, and in that proposed regulation that you or your colleagues talked about, would you list, like Bombardier has, different groups? Is that what you are thinking or brainstorming about, that it may include—
9:40 a.m.
Director General, Marketplace Framework Policy Branch, Strategic Policy Sector, Department of Industry
The Employment Equity Act lists four groups under which gender is already covered, so the diversity beyond gender would include visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and aboriginal peoples.
9:40 a.m.
Director General, Marketplace Framework Policy Branch, Strategic Policy Sector, Department of Industry
It would be included but not limited to.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Ben Lobb Conservative Huron—Bruce, ON
Would it be your recommendation that it should include more, more than the four you've mentioned??
9:40 a.m.
Director General, Marketplace Framework Policy Branch, Strategic Policy Sector, Department of Industry
My view is.... I don't have a view, but I think the view—
9:40 a.m.
Director General, Marketplace Framework Policy Branch, Strategic Policy Sector, Department of Industry
The regulation would provide guidance to firms as to how to understand diversity with respect to the policies, and as I've said, the guidance would list the employment equity groups.
9:40 a.m.
NDP
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy
Seeing no further debate, we will call a vote on NDP-13. It is a motion on its own. I believe the law clerk has explained that to you.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Dan Ruimy
Okay.
(Amendment negatived: nays 5; yeas 4)
We're going to move on to CPC-1.
Is there any debate on CPC-1?
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Earl Dreeshen Conservative Red Deer—Mountain View, AB
With this particular amendment, we've tried to encompass all of the aspects that were spoken of before. We've specifically talked about national and ethnic origin. We did talk about disability status as being one of the specific issues. Just to tie a little bit into the other that we had just voted on, rather than stating mental or physical disability, we just speak about disability status and social economic status, and so on. These were different aspects trying to illustrate the fact that if we're going to have a diversity policy, we should be able to name various items that are associated with it.
That's really where we're at in the motion we have before us. It's obvious where we're going under these circumstances, so if anyone else wants to take up the charge, we can do that. I'm not sure if there are other members who are prepared to speak.
As we looked at this, we felt ours was inclusive. We spoke about aboriginal indigenous heritage as being one of the....
One of the things I pointed out years ago, when I was on aboriginal affairs and northern development, was the time that I spent in the north, speaking with business leaders.... This is where I was first amazed. When you go to some place that you're not familiar with, and then you start talking to people and you see the kinds of skills and talent that are there, and the great opportunities, especially if given the opportunity.... I was extremely impressed. I felt it was important to state that specifically in the amendment.
I'll leave it at that, and if others choose to go on, we'll do that.
9:45 a.m.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
I would like to move an amendment to the motion. Hopefully, it will be friendly.
I would ask that after “disability”, we include “sexual orientation” as well. I think, to be fair to this motion, it actually highlights aboriginal indigenous heritage even more clearly.
That's a friendly amendment, and I would like to speak to it when I get a chance.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
9:45 a.m.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
No, I wanted to speak to the subamendment. I asked to speak on that when I can.