Evidence of meeting #16 for Status of Women in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was human.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
I call the meeting to order. This is the 16th meeting of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Good morning to all of you.
On your desks in front of you, in this multitude of documents, you should have the agenda, the briefing documents....
Ms. Smith.
Conservative
Joy Smith Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Just before we start, I would draw attention to the book Ms. Mourani has written on the Montreal street gangs. I want the Status of Women to be aware of this book. Sorry for the interruption, but I thought it might be something you'd want to take a look at.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
I was planning to acknowledge that at a later point in the agenda. Thank you.
You have briefing documents from the Library of Parliament on how to study the main estimates, a copy of the Canadian Heritage votes 110 and 115, and the committee calendar.
We'll move to our discussion today on the main estimates. The representatives today are not going to be making presentations. They are here to answer questions anyone has on the estimates so that the committee thoroughly understands the intention of votes 110 and 115.
I also have to mention that the committee has the opportunity to adopt, reduce, or vote negatively on each vote. We do not have the ability to increase, but we do have an ability to decrease. I sense that's not something we're particularly interested in, but I wanted to make sure I pointed out what we can and can't do in the main estimates.
I welcome Florence Ievers, who is our coordinator. Nanci-Jean Waugh is the acting coordinator and ADG of communications, external relations and outreach. Jackie Claxton is the DG of women's programs and regional operations. Hélène Dwyer-Renaud is the acting DG, policy, GBA and research--so we'll be seeing more of you later on this month. Guylaine Metayer is the director of corporate services.
They're here to answer any questions the committee has on the votes we are being asked to table.
Ms. Neville, would you like to start?
Liberal
Liberal
Belinda Stronach Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
On September 25 the government announced that the funds allocated to a number of departments and departmental programs would be reduced. The Treasury Board secretariat's background on effective spending indicated that the Status of Women will see $5 million in administrative savings. This $5 million is not reflected in the 2006-07 report on plans and priorities for the Status of Women.
Could you please provide the committee with an explanation of what are considered to be administrative savings?
Florence Ievers Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
If you look at the estimates and vote 110, which is the operating expenditures, the reduction of $5 million that begins to apply next fiscal year will be taken out of the $11.5 million that's there. So $11.5 million is the total operating budget of Status of Women Canada, and you take $5 million out of that.
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Thank you for being here this morning.
Can you tell us what process you're going to put in place to determine how the $5 million will be taken out of the budget? Who will you be doing the consultation process with? Will it be determined internally? Can you identify what work you've done to date to identify the $5 million?
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
The $5 million is a significant cut out of the $11.5 million. We have to look at everything that Status of Women Canada does. Vote 115 on the grants and contributions is not touched. The process will be internal to Status of Women. We will be looking for administrative cuts. Given the magnitude of the cuts we will be looking at what we do, and ensure that we make the best possible decisions and present the minister with the best options so we can continue to improve the lives of women and bring results to Canadians.
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Of the administrative costs you're cutting, the $5 million, what portion of your overall budget went to research each year?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Can I interrupt for one minute?
I want to make sure that everybody has the information being referred to so they can follow.
Ms. Grewal, do you have it?
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
One was printed off the Internet, so it has the same content but a different cover.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
You have the two pages that show the votes. Each one of those should be in your packages. It's the same information, just formatted differently.
All right. We can resume the discussion.
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Thank you.
My question is on research. What portion have you spent on research and what do you anticipate, if that's fair?
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
We were spending 6% of our operations budget on research, which was $1.5 million. Of that, $1.17 million went to the policy research fund and $370,000 went to direct costs like FTEs, staff, printing, translating, and distribution of the research reports.
At this point it's too early to tell what research will remain and what will not. We're still in the process of examining that.
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
We all know that good research provides good policy. Do you anticipate that some research might come under program dollars?
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
Yes. As you know, a lot of the funding goes to that kind of activity. Perhaps Jackie can be more clear as to the new terms and conditions and what they will mean.
Jackie Claxton Director General, Women's Programs and Regional Operations, Status of Women Canada
Through the grants and contributions program, an activity related to research that is directly tied to an outcome linked to the specific initiative that's going to have a direct impact on the situation of women is something that would continue to be supported through the grants and contributions of the women's program--as long as it's directly tied to a specific outcome.
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
I'm thinking of the women's health clinic funding in Manitoba that was looking at poverty as a determinant of health, which is subsequently having an impact on policy. I'm concerned that there will still be an opportunity for those kinds of initiatives.
One other question, and then perhaps Ms. Stronach has others. I'm concerned about the operating budget and what this will mean to regional offices. I know there are currently some vacancies that I assume will not be filled. Are you looking at cutting back in the regions?
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
As I mentioned, we're looking at all our operations. We can't leave anything off the table, given the magnitude of the cuts, so we're looking at everything.
We're looking at streamlining and looking for efficiencies. We're looking at identifying if someone else can give the service instead of us. Is there duplication? Is there overlap in some of the areas we were working on? Those are the kinds of things we're looking at as we look to apply the cuts for the next fiscal year.
October 17th, 2006 / 11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
My last question to you, or perhaps entreaty, is on the whole issue of consultation on the cuts. I think it's really important that some of the stakeholders, and perhaps even this committee, have some opportunity for input into where those cuts, efficiencies--whatever one calls them--are made. That's simply a comment.
Do we have more time?
Liberal
