Evidence of meeting #30 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 report.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
The minister will confirm that.
What do we need to do here? Does Ms. Mathyssen—
12:55 p.m.
Conservative
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON
I have a point of order. I have to clarify something. It bothers me that there is a member—and I respect the member—who says there was a letter; however, the chair obviously has not received any letter from the minister giving her three dates. My understanding is that November 20 was all she had, and nothing but that.
I don't think it's fair to make assumptions that there was a letter when we have seen no such letter. I have not seen one, and the chair says she has not received one.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
The clerk tells me that it would have been brought forward if we ever got into future business, but because we have been tied up with the report, she did not bring the e-mail forward with the minister, because we haven't dealt with future business. That's the reason; otherwise she would have brought it forward.
Let me keep going. I think we have gotten our points across.
I have Ms. Smith, and Ms. Mourani. Ms. Smith, you're first.
12:55 p.m.
Conservative
Joy Smith Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Thank you.
I have a copy of that e-mail that went to the clerk on November 21 asking for these dates. Just to reiterate, it's very timely, because these two motions have been on the table with the request for the minister to come. So I would ask that we talk about February 1 to have the minister come, if that is okay with the committee.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
If the minister's offering to come February 1, which is great, would you like to withdraw your motions?
No? All right.
12:55 p.m.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
No, I want it to be very clear that we need to speak about the budget and, as Ms. Mourani has indicated in her motion, the new criteria for the women's program, the mandate. I think, in light of all of the confusion and the concern we've heard from across the country, that those are important topics and that the minister should be prepared to speak on them.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Okay, we will confirm with the minister for February 1.
I have this motion from Ms. Mathyssen on the table. Is everyone in agreement with the motion requesting the minister to come before committee? That's what's in front of us. I have to have a vote on it unless it's withdrawn. Those are the rules here, and I have to move forward on this.
Ms. Guergis.
1 p.m.
Conservative
Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
I just want it on record that I believe it's an attempt to make the minister appear as though she hasn't been willing to come before committee, and the clear evidence here states that she has been willing to come. It's unfortunate—
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
But I don't have it. I've never seen it and I had never heard of it until you brought it up.
1 p.m.
Conservative
Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
It's unfortunate. The clerk will have to answer to that at some point.
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
You might want to table that e-mail with the clerk so that we'll have it done.
Ms. Mathyssen.
1 p.m.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Madam Chair, there is no such attempt, and quite frankly, I find that offensive. The purpose of this motion is to bring the minister to this committee so that she can talk to us about the change in the budget, or clarify the budget, and clarify the Status of Women.
In terms of this e-mail, I've not seen it either.
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
That's right. It was all done in good faith, because that letter is very different from what we have here.
I have Ms. Mathyssen's motion. Are we ready to vote on this?
Ms. Mourani, you want to speak to this.
1 p.m.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
First, I would like to state clearly that I have no ill intent, since I didn't even know about those emails. I want to remind you, however, that both motions, mine and Ms. Mathyssen's, are similar. The only difference is that I added the new criteria for the Women's Program.
Will we adopt Ms. Mathyssen's motion, or amend it? I'm open to all proposals.
Would you like to adopt each motion, one after the other? I'm open to this too.
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Yes, they stand alone, so they would have to be voted on individually.
Okay, I have Ms. Mathyssen's motion.
(Motion agreed to)
Please note that the government abstains.
That was Ms. Mathyssen's motion.
1 p.m.
Conservative
Joy Smith Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
I do want it read into the record, because I agree with my colleague Ms. Guergis. I do think this is an attempt to really discredit the minister. She's wanted to come and meet us. She wants to answer everything, and wants to work with the Status of Women. So this side of the committee has abstained, because we really think this is totally unnecessary. She will be here February 1.
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
In fairness to the committee members, they and I were unaware of any letter or e-mail, and I believe they would have put this in good faith. They placed it. We have to vote on it if it is not withdrawn.
Ms. Mourani, would you read your motion into the record, please.
1 p.m.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
It reads:
That the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women ask the Honourable Bev Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Status of Women, and Status of Women Canada to appear before the Committee to discuss the budget and the administrative cuts at Status of Women Canada and the new criteria for the Women's Program.
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
All right, does anybody want to speak to this motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Now, it's 1:05. I have several motions here. I'll deal with one more, and then we're going to have to close off.
Ms. Minna, please read it.
1 p.m.
Liberal
Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
That the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women add additional televised hearing days, beyond the two already allotted, allowing for more women’s organizations to appear before the committee to discuss the impact of recent budget cuts to Status of Women Canada.