Status of Women Committee on Dec. 3rd, 2020

[Vicky Smallman]

I completely agree with both of the statements.

Ultimately it comes down to broader patterns of inequality throughout our society. The way we really deal with it is by developing policy solutions with the people who are most negatively impacted at the core.

If we bring that kind of gender-based intersectional lens to our policy-making, if we think about how we lift up the people who are most impacted when we are developing solutions, as opposed to how we reduce the drain on the public purse or how we make sure that companies can make a profit, then we might be able to address some of these systemic patterns.

It really is also about changing the way we think about developing policy to address some of these systemic problems.

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

That's excellent.

Now we're going to go to Madame Larouche for two and a half minutes.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

As the Bloc Québécois critic for seniors and the status of women, I would like to thank the three witnesses today.

You really highlight the importance of invisible work for those two groups. You also talked about the importance of being better paid. You even talked about pay equity.

I really feel that we no longer have the time and the meetings to spend on studying all the issues that we want to put forward. That is why I will humbly submit the following motion to the committee: “That the Standing Committee on the Status of Women meet no later than Monday, December 7, 2020, to complete the debate begun today on future business in order to maintain the work scheduled for next week.”

I submit it humbly, because I really feel that we have a lot of work to do and I feel that we can no longer afford to waste a meeting, especially on the issue of invisible work.

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

Is there any discussion on the motion?

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

I'd like to make a point of order, please, on this motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

Go ahead, Ms. Dhillon.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Was this motion on notice?

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

It's on the topic that we're discussing at the committee.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

It's not on the current debate; it's not part of that.

Thank you.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

I'm submitting a motion on the spot. We could simply vote to see if there is unanimous consent.

I humbly move that we try to meet by next Monday to continue our work.

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

Excuse me. The clerk has clarified that we can't do that in this meeting. It has to be under committee business.

You have another half minute of your time for questions.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Does someone want to close by reiterating the importance of invisible work and that the pandemic has revealed gender inequalities? I specifically heard you mention the issue.

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

I am sorry; the clerk has confirmed that it is not admissible.

Unfortunately we're at the end of our time for today.

I want to thank the witnesses for your excellent testimony.

To the committee, remember to bring your recommendations for the COVID study by Monday, and Tuesday, of course, will be committee business.

The meeting is adjourned.