Status of Women Committee on March 15th, 2010

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

I'm not sure of my time. Could someone on staff tell me how many more minutes I have? Will you let me know when?

In addition to the work we've done with the Native Women's Association and Sisters in Spirit, I believe there was an additional $2 million last year alone in other projects specifically focused on aboriginal women, all in line with the three pillars of economic security, ending violence, etc., and women in leadership. Other than taking you down to the individual project, which I'm happy to do if you would like to have further information, we post them on the website all the time.

It is a very grassroots approach, and of course within the aboriginal community it is led by the community and focused on their priorities. But with respect to Sisters in Spirit and the next steps, I've been working very closely with Madame Corbiere Lavell. The focus for the next five years will be very much on that community-based approach of having real action on the ground, concrete measures to be able to address a lot that has been highlighted and identified as the root causes of the violence. I look forward to doing that.

I can't give you all the details with respect to Minister Nicholson's side at this point and I haven't completely finalized all of mine, but that should be coming within the next few weeks.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Madam Chair, I have one other quick question.

I'd be really pleased to hear some more information about Sisters in Spirit and actually what their mandate has been and what they've been tasked with over the last few years in terms of where they've gone with their research.

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

To take us back a little, there were six inquiries done in the past on missing and murdered aboriginal women. Sisters in Spirit resulted from those inquiries, as a research project to address some of the recommendations in some of those inquiries. I would think that's probably why you would see NWAC not specifically asking for another inquiry, because the thought is, if you've had six inquiries and Sisters in Spirit was a result, you don't just jump into another inquiry.

They've talked about investigations, they've talked about ideas on next steps, and we're listening very closely to them. It is five years, which comes to an end on March 31, and they have identified a lot of the root causes to the racialized and sexualized violence and have identified gaps within the justice system. There are specific projects that we will work with them on, including my direction to ensure that for those ongoing provincial investigations that exist right now, we will be able to provide an opportunity for NWAC to be at the table to be a part of those investigations, to ensure that the research and the knowledge they have is part of that investigative process.

In addition to that, there is a lot of talk on the database. I know the federal-provincial ministers' meeting had called for significant improvements in that.

I really have to stop at that point.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

That's it, Ms. McLeod?

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

I believe the minister has to leave now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I think the minister will inform the chair if she has to leave, thank you.

Thank you very much, Minister, for being here.

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

My assistant has just informed me that it is time for me to go.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Good, thank you, because we have just finished the second round.

Thank you very much for being here, Ms. Guergis.

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'd like to suspend the committee while the minister leaves.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We have, as you well know, pursuant to Standing Orders 110 and 111, the certificate of nomination of Suzanne Clément to the position of coordinator. This was referred to the committee on Thursday, March 4.

As you well know, committees have to respond within 30 days to speak to the particular person on any appointment and to question them with regard to their curriculum vitae, their vision, or whatever. We don't have the time to do that now. We would not do Ms. Clément any justice by just shoving this for five minutes at her. She doesn't get to answer when you ask her a question.

I would like to suggest that we ask Madam Clément to come here at another time. If I recall, the first motion had asked for Madam Clément to come specifically and separately for an hour.

If you would like, we have some places where we can stick this into the business we had set for the future. So we can actually do that, then, if you like, and then we can then bring Ms. Clément back.

Is that okay with you, Madam Clément? You can come if we send a request to you?

[Suzanne Clément]

I'm available to stay, if you'd like to do it now, or if you want to do it another time, that's fine.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Well, with five minutes left to go, it really is difficult. It's five minutes left, if I'm looking at the clock on the wall, less than five. Oh, sorry, 35 minutes.

Okay, so do you want to do 35 minutes with Madam Clément? Does this committee want to do this? I'm asking you.

[Johanne Deschamps, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Can you give us an idea of the time we have left? Will Mrs. Clément be given the floor? After that, how much time will each party have? We have 30 minutes remaining.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'm just looking at this. If we do this now, that means, give or take the fact that no round ever seems to take its allotted time, we will only have 35 minutes to deal with this.

Is everyone agreeing that we will only go to one round?

Yes, Michelle, you have something to say?

[Michelle Simson, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Is there anything that precludes us from finishing up at 5:30 and inviting Suzanne Clément back for another full hour? I mean, is it an either/or situation?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

No, there is nothing that prevents. It depends on what you want to do, as a committee. I'm just listening to what you want to do.

Yes, Lois.

[Lois Brown, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Madam Chair, I have another meeting at 5:30, and I'm sorry, I will have to depart. Is it possible that we can shorten the rounds?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

It is possible, but everyone has to be in agreement on that.

How does everyone feel about that?

Monsieur Desnoyers.

[Luc Desnoyers, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

I believe we invited her to testify for one hour. As Ms. Simson said, we run the risk of seeing the debate get sidetracked, because she will be asked to answer important questions about her role within Status of Women Canada. In my opinion, we need to give her time, and we also need to give ourselves some time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Everyone heard what Monsieur Desnoyers had to say. Are there any comments?

Do I sense consensus around this table that you would like her to come back for an hour at some other time? That would mean we end now. Or we could discuss anything to do with timelines and do some in camera work. It is up to you, whatever it is you wish.

Sylvie, you were saying something?

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

In any event, I am expected at another committee at 5:30 p.m. So then, I'm in a bit of a bind. I think we should cut things short and at least listen to what she has to say, so that we can move as quickly as possible to questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

And then come back for another hour another day? Is that what you're saying? All right, if everyone wants to go.

We've now lost much of our time, of the 35 minutes. We have 30 minutes, so that will be six minutes per round.

Then it is my understanding that you wish to have Madam Clément come back for another hour some time. The clerk is showing me there is time to do this on March 29.

I am presenting you the information and I want to hear from you.

Lois.

[Lois Brown, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Respectfully, I think we had put aside an hour for her representation, so if we have a half hour now, it would be appropriate that we add another half hour at another time.