Status of Women Committee on Oct. 31st, 2006

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Apparently we should be doing one amendment at a time. First, we have to speak to this amendment, and once we've decided on that amendment, Ms. Mourani can place her amendment.

Ms. Mathyssen, to the amendment.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Ms. Stronach's amendment has addressed my concern in regard to the main motion, so I'll pass.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Okay.

Ms. Smith.

[Joy Smith, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I feel that Ms. Stronach's amendment is redundant. We have stated very clearly that all women are equal in Canada, so it does not have to be reinstated. So that amendment is unnecessary.

I think it is more a ploy to get back to the original agenda. We have a way of making sure that the message we get out to Canadian women is that you are equal and we will help to make sure that those barriers are down. So I can't support this amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you.

Is there any further discussion to the amendment? Ms. Davidson.

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Yes, thank you.

I'm just not quite clear what we're trying to establish here. Certainly we know that the strategic outcome for Status of Women Canada, which is stated in the report on plans and priorities, says, “Gender equality and the full participation of women in the economic, social, cultural and political life of Canada”. It's already there. It's already stated. It's there very emphatically and very clearly.

I think this amendment is certainly out of order, and I'll be voting against the amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Mr. Miller.

[Larry Miller, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Along the same lines, I agree with the wording in it, but again, it's redundant, because it's already there, as Ms. Davidson has just declared. It implies that it was taken out when it wasn't. You still end up with exactly what my colleague across the way is trying to accomplish, because it's already there. So it's redundant.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Mr. Valley.

[Roger Valley, Liberal, Kenora, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I think the reason for the amendment is that it's one thing to say the Standing Committee on the Status of Women say this, but this is saying that the government says this. I think it has a lot more teeth, and for that reason you need the amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you.

Mr. Stanton, to the amendment.

[Bruce Stanton, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Yes, to the amendment, could I get the latter part of it? Perhaps Ms. Stronach could just read that again, or maybe the clerk. Is it “the economic, social, political and legal aspects” of it? Could I just get that wording again? I'm sorry.

[Belinda Stronach, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

The last part is, continuing: “that would prevent the full participation of women in Canadian society, so that the economic, social, political and legal aspects, and cultural situation is improved”. So the addition is “political and legal aspects”.

[Bruce Stanton, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

And it continues “improved through projects directly”, or are you suggesting—?

[Belinda Stronach, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

And then it continues on, yes.

[Bruce Stanton, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Thank you.

Madam Chair, I don't have too much problem with the second part of this amendment. It's fairly consistent with what's already supported, as Ms. Davidson mentioned, in the reports on plans and priorities of Status of Women Canada.

But speaking to the first part, I would echo and support Ms. Davidson's comments that in fact it's not needed. It is already the heart and soul of what Status of Women Canada does. Gender equality is part and parcel of Status of Women Canada and, by context, through the women's program. In fact, we note in the new terms and conditions that were approved to 2011 that it's very clear that the outcomes for that program are directly linked to the strategic outcome of Status of Women Canada. This centres gender equality as its modus operandi. It really is there in black and white, and it's clear. I don't think this additional language does anything to add to that mandate.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Quickly, Ms. Smith.

[Joy Smith, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Yes, very quickly.

I would agree. If Ms. Stronach can amend the amendment in such a way that the last part is in.... The first part, “reinstate equality”, is the part I do not agree with. With respect to the last part, yes, I agree with Mr. Stanton. We could definitely do that if Ms. Stronach would agree to amend the amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

While we look at these amendments and try to work something out that we could all agree on, which would be a really nice thing for our committee, would it be possible that we hold down on dealing with Ms. Smith's motion and the amendments and go on to our future business on human trafficking? We can go back to your motion later in our meeting. Would that be acceptable?

Ms. Mourani.

[Maria Mourani, Bloc, Ahuntsic, QC]

Madam Chair, I simply cannot vote in favour of Ms. Stronach's amendment, because I find that it is still too vague.

In my opinion, we need to have a very specific and clear amendment, one that truly defines the issues facing us. That is why I, unfortunately, will not vote in favour of this amendment. It is still too broad.

I would move another amendment, one that is more specific, which further underscores specific items, is in line with the principle of the motion and also accounts for the concerns of my colleagues, Ms. Stronach, Minna and Mathyssen.

That is why I would have liked to propose this amendment to you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Hence the reason that I suggested we might want to use this time to work on the amendment. Maybe Ms. Stronach and Ms. Mourani could work together on this amendment and we might get something by the end of the meeting that would be agreeable for everyone.

Ms. Smith.

[Joy Smith, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

I would like to call for a vote on it. I don't want to keep it off. As I said, I think we should go forward and vote on it one way or another. I would ask that you please do that.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Is it the will of the committee to move forward and have a vote on this motion?

[Maria Minna, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

Let's vote on the whole motion as is and let's get on with it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

We have an amendment that Ms. Stronach has placed on the floor. We're going to vote on the amendment, unless Ms. Stronach is asking to withdraw it.