Status of Women Committee on Feb. 28th, 2019

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

Thank you very much, Ms. Harder.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Sorry, Madam Chair, I'm not done yet.

Thank you.

Now I'm done.

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

Thank you.

We'll go to Mrs. Zahid, please.

[Salma Zahid]

Thank you, Chair.

Thanks to our witnesses, and thanks for their patience today.

Madam Chair, we are conducting a very important study. We have witnesses here. Seniors are a very important component of our country; they are the pillar. We are conducting a study on the challenges faced by senior women and the factors contributing to their poverty. With only 10 weeks left, I think it is important that we listen to our witnesses who are scheduled.

For that reason, I would like to move an amendment to the motion that has been presented. The amendment is that the committee invite the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and relevant departmental officials to appear on March 21, 2019, for the consideration of the supplementary estimates (B), 2018-19, and the interim estimates for 2019-20, and to brief the committee on the mandate of the Department for Women and Gender Equality.

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

Thank you very much, Mrs. Zahid.

Mrs. Zahid has moved an amendment.

We'll go to Ms. Leitch, please.

[K. Kellie Leitch, Simcoe—Grey, CPC]

Thank you very much.

Thank you, witnesses, for coming today.

I'll be brief with respect to my comments on this motion. During my tenure as the—

Is there a problem?

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

Mrs. Zahid.

[Salma Zahid]

There is an amendment on the floor. We cannot debate the motion when there is an amendment. I proposed an amendment.

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

We're debating the amendment.

[K. Kellie Leitch]

I was going to speak to the original motion.

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

We have to discuss the amendment.

[K. Kellie Leitch]

No problem.

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

Okay.

Is there further discussion on the amendment, please?

Ms. Harder.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

It would appear that this is just another attempt by the Liberals to shut down a real conversation and the opportunity to hold the minister accountable. As stated, it is already in the works that the minister will be coming to committee in March in order to brief us in regard to the estimates. We know that's already been confirmed. It's already a part of our calendar. That's not what I'm requesting. I'm not requesting a financial analysis with the minister. I'm requesting that she come and brief us with regard to the changes that have been made in her department.

If this government truly cares about being transparent, truly cares about being honest with Canadians and truly cares about being held accountable by the Canadian public and the members of the opposition, and if this government truly cares about changing its tone, then now would be the opportunity to function with integrity rather than follow the premise that your Prime Minister has already set for you.

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

Thank you.

On the amendment, we have Ms. Lambropoulos.

[Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

I think this amendment is great, because it gives the opportunity to all members on this committee to ask questions of the minister on all topics. We are including a briefing of the new responsibilities of this minister.

Ms. Harder and all others on the committee will have ample opportunity to discuss whatever they'd like, in regard to this ministry, with the minister on that day. We can hold her accountable, if we feel she needs to be, on whatever it is, and I'm sure Ms. Harder will be able to say whatever rude comments she'd like on that day.

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

Thank you.

To the amendment, Ms. Harder.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Madam Chair, the language that was just used was actually unparliamentary language. You might want to address that as the chair of this committee.

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

I would hope that all members of this committee would be respectful of each other and respectful of our witnesses.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

It would be appropriate for the member opposite to issue an apology, as would be required in the House.

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

Ms. Lambropoulos, are you prepared to withdraw your comment in regard to Ms. Harder? Are you prepared to apologize?

[Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

I'm unsure which part you're referring to.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

You said that I could make “rude comments” to the minister.

[The Vice-Chair, Ms. Irene Mathyssen]

I would very much like this to be a positive exchange.

[An hon. member]

[Inaudible—Editor]