Status of Women Committee on Nov. 17th, 2009

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON]

We tried to do this with industry and finance. There was an issue with credit cards. We found it very cumbersome. I'm quite pleased, actually, with the progress we've made in this study. I think we've covered a lot of ground. We have decided as a committee to focus on this particular issue rather than the dual purpose that we had originally. We had some discussion on that; nevertheless we've come to a conclusion.

I think we'll find, Ms. Neville, that it's going to bog us down. That's what our experience was with finance and industry. We found it was very difficult to coordinate the two committees, and when we did get together there was much confusion as to who was going to chair.

As I said, I'm very pleased with the progress we've made. There are some witnesses I'd still like to hear from and I'd still like to ask some questions, but I would caution us as a committee to go in that direction. I think we may find that it would be more counterproductive than productive.

[The Vice-Chair (Ms. Candice Hoeppner), Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Is there any other discussion?

Ms. Wong.

[Alice Wong, Conservative, Richmond, BC]

I'm speaking against this as well, because right in the beginning we set some goals. We've been doing this, and we had excellent witnesses today. All of a sudden we move on to EI. What is the whole mission of the committee? We set a goal that we want to achieve, and then another goal comes along that has never been discussed before and all of a sudden we want to barge into another committee and say that we want to be there.

For those who are interested, you are always allowed to sit in and listen. If your party allows you to take the place of someone who is originally on the committee, you can actually speak there. That applies to all parties. So I don't see the need of upsetting everything we've planned, where our committee is heading, and then saying let's do something else.

I speak very strongly against this.

[The Vice-Chair (Ms. Candice Hoeppner), Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Are there any other comments?

Ms. Demers.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Madam Chair, I would just like to get a little additional information. When does Ms. Neville hope to hold that meeting? Would it be before the holidays, before the parliamentary break, or afterwards? What did she hope to get out of this meeting? I'd like to get some additional information before I make a decision.

[The Vice-Chair (Ms. Candice Hoeppner), Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Go ahead, Ms. Neville.

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Thank you very much.

I hope that if it requires a special meeting, we will have a special meeting. As I said, this committee has studied this issue and has a historical memory of this issue. I don't accept Ms. Wong's comments about barging into or upsetting the plan. Our mandate is to look at the impact of legislation on women. Very rarely is legislation sent to this committee. Perhaps it should have been sent by the government to both committees. The minister, when she was here, made it quite clear that her responsibility—and I take it, our responsibility—is to look across government at how matters have an impact upon the lives of women. This will certainly have a profound impact on the lives of women.

I'm curious to know whether there was a gender-based analysis done on the report. I'm not certain about that. I think it's important. And Madam Chair, if I can say so, I'm going to put this motion again when other legislation comes down. There is other legislation coming down that has a direct impact on women, and I think it's incumbent upon this committee to review the legislation and to be part of the discussion.

[The Vice-Chair (Ms. Candice Hoeppner), Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Thank you, Ms. Neville.

Is there any other discussion?

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Madam Chair, I'd like to propose a friendly amendment. If I understood correctly, Ms. Neville would like to have the committee hold a joint special session with the Standing Committee on Human Resources, but without it being part of our usual calendar. The objective of this meeting would be to learn about the provisions of Bill C-56 that could have an impact on the lives of women in terms of employment insurance. Did I understand that correctly?

[The Vice-Chair (Ms. Candice Hoeppner), Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Do you accept that friendly amendment?

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Yes, without question.

[The Vice-Chair (Ms. Candice Hoeppner), Conservative, Candice Bergen]

All right. So let's read that as amended.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON]

Are we dealing first with the amendment?

I'd still like to address the motion, but if it's proper that we first deal with this amendment, that's fine.

[The Vice-Chair (Ms. Candice Hoeppner), Conservative, Candice Bergen]

It's a friendly amendment, so we'll look at it as amended, and then you can address it.

The amendment would add that pursuant to the Standing Orders, the committee would hold a joint special meeting outside the normal meeting time.

That's the friendly amendment. This is the motion with the amendment in it.

Go ahead, Mr. Van Kesteren.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON]

Are we beginning discussion on the amendment now, or are we back to the motion?

[The Vice-Chair (Ms. Candice Hoeppner), Conservative, Candice Bergen]

The friendly amendment has been accepted by the mover, so we'll discuss the motion with the amendment in it.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON]

I guess the other thing I'm curious about is whether we have contacted the human resources committee? Are they in favour of this as well? Has there been some dialogue on your side? On our side, I don't think we've discussed this. Should we possibly make some type of overture to them and suggest that we do this? Is this being discussed on the other side?

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Through you, Madam Chair, I've certainly discussed it with colleagues on that committee. If this motion passes, then it would go to the chair of that committee. If they say that they don't want to, then at least we've made an effort to do it.

I think it's important. I think it's important that we establish that precedent of looking at legislation that has a particular impact, or a disproportionate impact, on women, and that we be part of the discussion.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON]

Could I have a final question to that same effect? I suppose this would be directed to the clerk, through you, Madam Chair.

Is it normal procedure that we would impose...? That may be a strong choice of words. Is this motion a request?

[The Vice-Chair (Ms. Candice Hoeppner), Conservative, Candice Bergen]

The motion would be an expression of the will of this committee. Obviously we cannot impose our will on another committee. They are masters of their own destiny as well.

Ms. Mathyssen.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I would like to support the amended motion. I think this committee has a great deal to offer in terms of our expertise. It's incumbent on us to send a very clear message that we take our job as representatives for the benefit of women across the country very seriously and we want to play a role in the decision-making that will, in fact, impact women so significantly.

[The Vice-Chair (Ms. Candice Hoeppner), Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Thank you.

Is there any other discussion?

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

With your permission, Madam Chair, I'd like to point out that Bill C-56 concerns women who are self-employed, if I'm not mistaken. However, we have discussed the situation of these women and we came to the unanimous conclusion, I believe, that they should benefit from programs, maternity leave, employment insurance when they are sick, and so forth. This bill specifically addresses women in that situation. I think that this would be most welcome and that it would be beneficial.

[The Vice-Chair (Ms. Candice Hoeppner), Conservative, Candice Bergen]

If there's no other discussion, we will call the question.

(Motion agreed to)

Thank you.

Is there a motion to adjourn?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.