Status of Women Committee on Oct. 31st, 2022

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

I absolutely appreciate that. Thank you very much.

I don't have anybody else left on the speakers list.

What it looks like, from what we've agreed on, is that we would start the study following the mental health study witnesses. We will start the study, have a couple, figure out where the heck we are and what we need to do, and then revert and start looking at this study. We can go through version one and continue to work. We can do both of them. This isn't a problem. We have the best staff ever, so that's something that's very, very possible. I can tell you that, from the weekend and things like that, I know there is a lot of interest.

Jenna, go ahead.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

That's amazing. I love the compromise and the teamwork here.

I just want to flag something. As we start to put together our witness lists and who we will have as witnesses on this study, I do think we should reflect on whether some trauma-informed training is necessary.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Actually, I already started that conversation. We were doing the human-trafficking one, and I wanted to make sure that everybody was empowered.

I'm going to pass that over to Clare because this is her job.

[Clare Annett, Committee Researcher]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

If the committee wishes, Dominique and I have been working with the clerk to think about some ways the committee could have a meeting or a session on trauma-informed questioning of witnesses, but also on ways in which the people in the room, the members themselves, might seek help in getting through these tougher studies. We're looking at it from both of those angles. If the committee is looking for that kind of information, we can definitely draw together some experts and bring them in. A briefing note and everything would be prepared as well.

It's up to the committee and the chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

What I'm going to do is have our clerk read out the final motion. We just need approval of that.

Go ahead, Clerk.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Alexie Labelle]

The motion as amended reads as follows: That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake, following the completion of witnesses on the study of mental health of young women and girls, a study on sport and the status of women, including the physical and emotional health and safety of women and girls in sport; that the committee allocate four (4) meetings to hear testimonies and that it invite Ms. Pascale St‑Onge, Minister of Sport, to testify for one hour, as well as other witnesses that the committee deems appropriate to invite; and that the committee report its observations and recommendations to the House.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Okay.

Dominique, is this a question before our vote, because I was just about to vote? Do you have a question or a comment?

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

I have no questions about it, but I do have a brief comment to make before the meeting is adjourned.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Okay, fantastic.

We'll go to the vote on the motion.

(Motion as amended agreed to)

It is unanimous.

It's November 4, Friday at noon for witness lists. Golly gee, we have to get on this.

I am already getting some saying that we need to get these witness names in.

She is asking for our first group of witnesses on November 4.

I know you have a comment, Dominique.

Go ahead, Anita, and then Dominique.

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Actually, I have a motion.

We just did something at the Subcommittee on International Human Rights. It is possible in a particular study for the committee members to make available the employee assistance program, on a one-time basis, for witnesses and members. I guess members have it anyway, but we can make it available to the witnesses in a particular study.

I would move that we do so for this study.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

This is to ensure that everybody has the supports they need while we're doing this study, and extending those services to the witnesses, not just to us here at the House of Commons.

Do we need any more discussion on that?

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Easy peasy.

Okay, Dominique.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I have a special request for the analyst and her team.

With respect to the briefing note that you prepared, to save us from wasting very valuable minutes on questions addressing these situations, could the researchers pay special attention to what currently exists to protect athletes within the federations?

Do the federations have protocols, policies and the like? How are these policies applied on a day‑to‑day basis?

If we could have an overview of what's being done in Canada about this in the briefing note, I feel that would be very helpful.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

We're going to be asking for all of the witnesses lists—by Friday for witness lists.

Of course, as the study is going, we also know that there may be other things, so like everything, we will be flexible. We want to make sure we get the best study possible.

Seeing no further questions or comments, I will ask for a motion to adjourn.

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

The meeting is adjourned.