Status of Women Committee on April 2nd, 2019

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

This is a great question. In regard to parity, it's absolutely essential. We need that 51% or 52% of the population to have a voice. I introduced a bill some time ago that demanded fifty-fifty in public corporations, in the hope that it would pass and then spread to the private sector. It did not pass. It was voted down. I still think that's essential.

I have to say that in the first government of which I was a member, the effort was made to have 50% representation in cabinet. It was very important. In the party that I am a member of, since 1970 there has been a policy that any nomination meeting has to include parity, and women have to be looked at as candidates in winning and winnable ridings. This is absolutely critical.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Do you have anything to add?

[Kellie Leitch, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

I think diversity is exceptionally important, but I don't think women should be a quota, because when you go out and earn it, you own it, and that's exceptionally important. I think all of you, just like young women from across the country, are more than capable of beating any guy at anything you do.

I commend the actions of getting to parity, but I think it diminishes us when we get there because we're a number. The last thing I want to have happen is for someone to question that a Jane Philpott, who is a doctor like me, didn't get there on her own because she was a number in a quota, even though she is an outstanding woman who has done great work, and I know she could get there all on her own.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Excellent. Thank you very much.

If this is working out, that's okay, but, to our members, I'm going to start clicking you off.

Zola, you have the floor. You can direct your question to everybody, or if there is one member you wish to direct to, go ahead.

[Nokuzola Ncube]

Dr. Leitch, given your experience as a physician, and recognizing that the burden of the opioid crisis, specifically related to the prescription of opioids to women, isn't entirely on physicians, what role do physicians play in solutions?

[Kellie Leitch, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

I think physicians have a huge responsibility in the solutions. I am a pediatric physician, and I think we have a bit of a different approach because we have to spend a lot of time educating the parents and children about medications or, in my case, surgery. We all, as physicians, have a responsibility to make sure that patients absolutely understand what the medication they're taking is. I think better patient education would go a long way in making sure that people make good choices for themselves.

Obviously, as a pediatric physician, I also include nurse practitioners, social workers and others in my practice because we take care of families. We don't just take care of the child, and it's a bit of a different approach than the one taken with adult patients. I think it could be translated to adult patients and provide them with better care.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Immaculée, the floor is yours.

[Immaculée Kalimurhima]

Thank you.

I am addressing my question to all members of the committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

So we'll have one each.

Yes, go ahead.

[Immaculée Kalimurhima]

I want to know the reason why the education of refugees and immigrants is not considered. Why is there no evaluation process, at least, to see what they already know, and a training process to see what they need to know? Why don't we have something like that?

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

That's an excellent question. Who wants to take it from this side?

I'll switch over, because I know Kellie has an idea on this one.

[Kellie Leitch, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

I do know something about this.

Professional bodies in Canada do their best to educate people on what is required for them to make foreign credentials applicable in Canada—for example, physicians through the Royal College and different colleges across the country for engineers, professional associations and others. It's not a government responsibility in Canada; it is the professional bodies that have responsibility for it.

What we do a poor job of is that we aren't the best at making sure that newcomers to Canada know what those criteria are and who to talk to about getting them recognized. We don't do a good job of that.

In 2012—and in 2014, I think, but in 2012 for sure—there was a study done by the Government of Canada's standing committee on human resources and skills development. I think you'd find it very helpful in understanding what things are done but also in identifying what things still have to be done to make sure that individuals like those in your family have opportunities here.

I think we are doing some work towards it. We could do more, but we do genuinely try to evaluate people's capacity and integrate them, because I think it's in all Canadians' interest to make sure that people who are well educated are integrated into Canadian society.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Excellent.

I'm looking at the time. What we're going to do is direct the questions, I'm afraid.

Go ahead, Phoenix. You have the floor.

[Phoenix Nakagawa]

Do I have to direct the question to somebody?

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Yes.

[Phoenix Nakagawa]

Okay. How about you, then?

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Oh, my God. You're putting me on the spot, Phoenix.

[Phoenix Nakagawa]

Of course. I just want to ask the chair, how do you communicate with minorities within your community—any minority, queer, coloured, disabled? How do you listen to their voices?

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

That's a great question. Thanks very much.

One of the key things I do.... I am also the shadow minister for families, children and social development, and I also work specifically with the LGBTQ2S community, which has probably been one of the greatest challenges, but the greatest growth that I've ever had in my 48 years on earth.

The biggest thing is going out there and talking—not actually talking, but listening—introducing myself and saying, “Share with me your story.” Yesterday I had three women chiefs who came and sat down with me. My job wasn't to tell them; my job was to listen. I think that's one of the greatest things.

I try to always be available. I am just Karen. That's the way my persona is. If you see me on the street or in the grocery store, you come up to me, and it doesn't matter who you are. That's how I represent my constituents.

[Phoenix Nakagawa]

Okay. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Thank you.

Jaelyn, you have the floor.

[Jaelyn Jarrett]

Reconciliation isn't just an indigenous thing; it's also a non-indigenous thing. I don't really know whom to direct the question to, but how do you participate in reconciliation specifically in regard to the Inuit?

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

That's a great question.

I'm looking at Terry. Go ahead, Terry. You have one minute.

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Winnipeg South, MB]

I've been to Nunavut probably four or five times. It's an amazing place with amazing people. I'm more familiar with Manitoba. There are 63 first nations there. It's the homeland of the Métis nation, and we're very active in the reconciliation process. It's a long journey, because there have been 200 years or more of colonialism, but we need to work together.

I had a very special experience just a few weeks ago, when 25 governments, first nations, Métis, and local reeves and mayors came together to sign a memorandum of understanding on how they were going to work together on issues like water quality for Lake Winnipeg, on creating an Internet utility together and on a solid waste utility. These are communities that hadn't spoken to one another in 150 years.

While it may seem slow, we're making significant investments as a government. We are on this very long journey together, and we just have to keep on it. As we say every year in Manitoba, we are all treaty people. Remember, there were two signatories in the case of first nations.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Thank you. Excellent job, Terry.

Hannah, we're going to pass the floor to you.