Evidence of meeting #24 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
Anita Neville Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Madam Chair, before we're definitive on the time, perhaps we could see the recommended lists, because there may be more groups that can fit into the time allotted. Let's do a suggested time allotment, and then look at the lists as well.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Okay. The analysts will pull it all together and submit the list for us. We'll be as flexible as we can.
Conservative
Joy Smith Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Will the list come to our offices so that we can look at it before the next meeting, so we'd have an answer back? How do you want the answer back?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Once you've submitted your list by five tonight, we'll compile the whole list of the groups. The idea was that the analysts would review them and come forward with a recommendation of lists that I would bring to the committee on Thursday for....
No?
Madam Clerk, speak to that, please.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Michelle Tittley
We'll actually have Julie compiling the list. In order for the analysts to be able to compile a list on an informed basis, they've indicated to me that they would be requesting a brief from each of the groups that was recommended by the members so that they could have a representative cross-section to bring to the committee.
Considering the timeline, in our eyes we would have to give these groups some time to respond to this, to provide some information on what they would be speaking to. So I was hoping to be able to send out the message for these briefs to the groups on the list recommended by members by the end of the day tomorrow, which is why we were requesting the list by the end of the day today.
Then we have to give them time to submit those briefs, and time for the analysts to look over them to compile the list. So to have the list ready by Thursday just isn't feasible at this point. But I can tell you that the list will be compiled and we'll send it to the chair's office and bring it to the committee at the earliest convenience. I can't tell you exactly when that might be.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
It's a question of time. We'll come back to you with a list, but again, it's all in booking these witnesses to come in and getting it all organized. It does take a fair amount of time. But we will try to limit it as much as we can.
The one other issue that we need to talk about now is that we have a motion on the floor by Ms. Mourani.
Sorry, Ms. Minna.
Liberal
Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON
Madam Chair, I have a question.
With respect to the finishing of witnesses for the trafficking, I had submitted some names of organizations that I knew had a very good understanding and knowledge of the Canadian situation in terms of the analysis--where, how many, and how it was working. I think I handed it in some time ago. I notice that none of them is actually scheduled to appear.
The Clerk
If members have specific questions about witness groups, you can always feel free to contact me in the office directly.
The Clerk
I can tell you that there were a great number of witnesses who were requested who, for scheduling purposes, could not appear. As you might have noticed, there are only a few meetings left, so in the interest of not having groups being able to speak for only two minutes, we've agreed to--
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
The analysts have also monitored the list very carefully to make sure they have the information they need to do their report. I gather most of you are comfortable with the information you've received so far to be able to do the report.
Is that okay, Ms. Minna?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Ms. Mourani, you have a motion amended before us. Would you like to read the motion into the record, please?
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Yes, Madam Chair.
Do you want me to read it first, and then explain the context?
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
The motion, as amended, reads as follows:
That the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women recommend to the government that it develop, in collaboration with the provinces, a comprehensive strategy to combat human trafficking in Canada, and that the adoption of this motion be reported to the House.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
This motion is, in fact, simply a complement. I will explain why.
In May, Ms. Smith tabled a motion in the House on the international trafficking of women and children. It is on the Order Paper. The committee had not yet begun its work, but I had seconded her motion with great pleasure.
Since the committee has begun the process and we are talking about trafficking in Canada, I thought we should put forward a motion that would be in some ways a complement to Ms. Smith’s motion, referring to the adoption of a comprehensive strategy to combat human trafficking in Canada, taking into account the particular circumstances of each province.
I believe that this motion will be universally endorsed by this committee, since it has been the subject of our discussions since we began sitting.
Liberal
Conservative
Joy Smith Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Thank you.
I think this is an excellent motion, and I certainly commend my colleague, Ms. Mourani, for doing this. I would like to second the motion, and members on our side of the House will definitely be unanimously supporting this motion.
I thank you.
Liberal
Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON
Madam Chair, I'm just trying to understand. Obviously I have no problem with the content of the motion because it's what we are working on. That's what throws me, and I'm just not sure why we're doing it.
My understanding is that there's another motion coming from Madam Smith, I think, on December 6. I would just like clarification before I go on.
Conservative
Joy Smith Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Just to clarify, the motion is coming up on December 6 in the House. It's on the order paper now. My turn is coming up--you know how you can do a motion or you can do a private members' bill, and I would like to do a motion--