Thank you very much.
Evidence of meeting #56 for Science and Research in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was faculty.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #56 for Science and Research in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was faculty.
A recording is available from Parliament.
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Corey Tochor
Thank you.
Now we'll start our final round. We're going to do a minute apiece.
First up, from the Bloc, is MP Blanchette-Joncas.
6:35 p.m.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll be quick.
Ms. Prentice, during the last round, I asked you how the federal government could do a better job through its programs or requirements. Now I want to ask you the opposite question.
What can universities, provinces and Quebec not do on their own to ensure pay equity among faculty members? What elements require the federal government's action?
6:35 p.m.
Professor, University of Manitoba, As an Individual
Thank you. I appreciate your posing the question backwards. I think that's an intriguing way to go.
It's very clear that universities are employers, but I'll take this last minute to say that they're also teachers. One of the groups we haven't talked very much about right now is our graduate student cohort.
One of the immediate things the federal government could do is ensure that a student receiving a tri-council stipend for graduate studies who takes a parental leave—a man or a woman, whether they take six, 12 or 18 months—continues to be paid during that leave. While a professor will get pay, a graduate student might get time but no money. That's one thing that could come federally.
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Corey Tochor
Thank you so much for that.
We'll now move on to the NDP. We're going to have MP Johns for one minute.
6:35 p.m.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Mr. Chair, if I may, I'd like to ask Ms. Chen and Ms. Boon to get back to the committee in writing with an answer to my last question. I would appreciate it.
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
6:35 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
On May 1, the people behind Canada's scientific research walked off the job. Thousands of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from 49 universities and scientific institutions were protesting the lack of a wage increase in 20 years. Not only does the low real value of Canada's graduate scholarships and fellowships force our best and brightest to live in poverty, but it causes harm.
Dr. Prentice, could you expand on how this underfunding impacts academic pay inequity?
6:35 p.m.
Professor, University of Manitoba, As an Individual
It's true. We expect graduate students to spend years—two years for a master's degree, and between four and six or more years as a Ph.D. student—to get the highest academic qualifications, and we pay them shamefully. By “them”, I mean families without money who can't supplement, people without partners, people who are already disadvantaged and people whose living costs are higher perhaps because they have children or additional costs. They are all disadvantaged. Increasing the stipends that we pay to the best and the brightest who are on their way to graduate degrees is a very important step.
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Corey Tochor
Thank you so much to our witnesses for being here for the questions from the MPs.
We are right on time. We're going to adjourn. Is the will of the committee to adjourn the meeting?
It is. The meeting is adjourned.