Evidence of meeting #8 for Status of Women in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was going.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you, Mr. Calandra.
Before I call the motion, Ms. Demers, it's your motion, so do you have anything to add quickly?
5:05 p.m.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Madam Chair, if Ms. Oda, Mr. Cannon and Ms. Guergis appear before us, it will not be to tell them what we think about this issue, it will be for them to tell us what they think. We are not the ones who will be at the G8 or in cabinet when the Minister has to put across her views on women's and children's health. The status of women is her responsibility, and I think that women's health, everywhere in the world, is important to her.
As well, Mr. Cannon, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, is in direct contact with his counterparts in other countries. So he will have to address the question and discuss it. We have to make sure that everyone is on the same wavelength on this subject.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you.
(Motion as amended agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
It seems that it's unanimous. My goodness, that's great, we can get through this thing.
All right, the next motion that we have was also tabled on March 25 and it is again from Madame Demers. It reads:
That the Committee invite the concerned Canadian and Quebec civil society organizations to appear following the government's announcement to make maternal and child health a priority at the G-8 in June that Canada will be hosting.
Madame Demers, and then I have Ms. McLeod.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
I have a point of order. Certainly we had copies of the other two motions. I'm not sure what happened with the distribution, but this particular motion we never had.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I'm sorry, those two motions were on my place and in a folder and everyone else seemed to get it on the same day. I cannot comment on why this was not sent to you, the Conservatives. It was given to everyone. I had it as the chair, everyone else had it. It was meant to be discussed and we didn't have time last week.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
We had two motions last week; we did not have the third one.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
But the two motions last week, one of them was not to be discussed because it was March 29, which was the day we met this week.
The newest motion is March 29. These two were tabled together.
Madame Demers.
5:10 p.m.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Madam Chair, I would like to say this. I have spoken with organizations that are affected, but simply to say that the subject concerns them, not that they are concerned. It wasn't a matter of upsetting people. I don't want to write the script, I just want to give these people an opportunity to state their views on this strategy. After hearing the ministers involved with this issue, we can hear what the organizations have to say about it. We can then simply confirm or refute their knowledge about the meeting and the strategy.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Last week, when I came to the committee, I was given one. That is the one I had, I never had another. Today is the first time I'm seeing it. I prefer to tell you right away. I received it on March 29 by email.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
The clerk has assured me that it was sent electronically to everyone, and it was also deposited with everyone. The clerk says she will bring you proof she has done that.
We are discussing these motions, and I have no reason to find that the clerk didn't do her job.
Go ahead.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I have something else to say.
I can speak to you in English, if I wish, but I am going to speak in French.
What organizations?
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I would at least like you to tell me what organizations, if you are able to tell me that.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Not just that one, there are others in Quebec. That's what I would like to know, and how much time it will take. It's important that we know that.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I think you're jumping the gun here.
First we have to approve the motion. Then, as we have always done on committees, not only on this one but on every committee, once you approve bringing people in, everyone is allowed to throw their names into the mix. Maybe the Conservatives have some Canadian and Quebec civil society people they want to put forward. I don't think it's only Madame Demers' people. Once we agree to this, then we will put in people. This is one of the things we always do. That's the protocol and process for committees.
Cathy.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Madam Chair, we've spent a lot of time....
This is actually a new study, but we have a work plan and we seem to keep disrupting it. I think that if we want to look at these particular issues, it should be part of the work planning process that we do within our schedule. Let's look at it in the context of everything we're doing before we make a decision on this.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
There is a suggestion by Ms. McLeod that this will disrupt the current work plan, which at the moment we have laid out before us. It is the finishing up of this study on women in non-traditional work, and then beginning violence against aboriginal women--and having time, of course, to do the report on non-traditional work.
Ms. Demers, because the question really pertains to you--it's your motion--do you believe this will disrupt? Do you intend for this to stop us from what we're doing right now?
5:15 p.m.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
I have no intention of disrupting the committee's work. My intention is to make sure that we have adequate information so that we can judge for ourselves what the government's intentions are.
Madam Chair, I want to believe the government is honest. So for once ... in any event. This is causing me a lot of difficulty. Any time we want to get more information, we are called sinners. It isn't a sin: we want to make sure we have adequate information and make sure the government will explain what it is. It isn't just the government that's concerned, it's also certain organizations.
Even if we spent two meetings listening to people, it would not disrupt our timetable excessively. We have done it in the past. When urgent subjects come up, we often do it to make sure we meet those needs. Not to disrupt the committee's work. I am one of the people who is most eager for the study on aboriginal women and violence to get done. Don't worry, Madam Chair. The faster it can be done, the better it will be.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you very much, Madame Demers.
I think Madame Demers has answered your question, Ms. McLeod.
Ms. Brown.