Evidence of meeting #85 for Status of Women in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was know.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Karen Vecchio
Thank you so much.
We're now going to go online to Leah for the last two minutes.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to continue on with Ms. Haileyesus.
I loved what you said about access to banking, that it should be a woman's economic right. I totally agree.
You spoke about the importance of safe housing, whether it's transitional shelters or more durable solutions like affordable housing or rent-geared-to-income housing, to empower women to leave situations of economic abuse or even to start their own businesses.
By supporting those basic fundamental human rights—a livable income, housing—how does it support women's entrepreneurship?
Executive Director, Canadian Center for Women's Empowerment
When women face gender-based violence, stability is a huge issue. When a woman is stable, she can generate an income. She can go back to school. She can contribute to the economy. However, when a woman is literally homeless, it doesn't affect only her. It's all levels—the entire generation and society. I think there is a huge intersection. I also believe that the current initiatives, working on housing and, of course, a livable income are very important and crucial.
When we talk about economic empowerment, we should also recognize the economic justice aspect. It's a fundamental right for a woman to secure safe housing, to have an income to sustain her basic needs and also to protect herself. I believe that women's economic safety and security is critical for women's economic empowerment.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Would you say that you can't have economic empowerment void of things like a guaranteed livable basic income and affordable housing, rent geared to income—economic justice? Would you say that you need economic justice if you want to see women's entrepreneurship flourish?
Executive Director, Canadian Center for Women's Empowerment
Yes.
Either for women's entrepreneurship or to go back to the workforce, housing is a fundamental thing to invest in. It's critical. We cannot ask women to start a business, especially survivors, without that. Of course, the universal livable income is critical for women if we really want to make an impact, as is engaging survivors in this kind of conversation.
Conservative
Conservative
Michelle Ferreri Conservative Peterborough—Kawartha, ON
I have a point of order, Madam Chair. I don't know if I'm allowed to do this, so I'll just put it forward.
I've been getting messages from people while we've been doing this committee. They watched question period. They watched the vote on the carbon tax. They are female business owners. They are asking that I put forward a verbal motion, but we can put it in writing.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Karen Vecchio
I'll make the ruling. Thank you. I don't need everybody's support on this.
I know that under a point of order, you cannot do a motion. It's either in committee business or when you have the floor. It's one or the other.
You could do a verbal motion, but that would be non-debatable at that time. It would be putting it on the record and non-debatable.
I'll pass the floor to Anita.
Liberal
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Karen Vecchio
Yes, that's what I was going to do. I will come back to this.
On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank Clare, Cadleen and Meseret for coming to provide this information. We greatly appreciate it.
What I am going to do is that we will continue, and we will have to excuse you. We have two other kinds of meetings happening here right now, because we will have a subcommittee meeting and different things we have to do with that. Thank you so much for doing this.
I'm going to suspend for about 30 seconds so you can get your things. I'll suspend quickly and then we'll go back.
Go ahead
Conservative
Michelle Ferreri Conservative Peterborough—Kawartha, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The motion is:
That the committee immediately undertake a five meeting review on the disproportionate impact the carbon tax has on low income individuals.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Karen Vecchio
Fantastic.
This is not debatable at this time. That's just on notice.
What we're going to do now is that we're going to go in camera, so we will switch. I'm going to remind everybody online we are going in camera, so make sure you change to the new link.
I'm going to invite the gentlemen and lady to come forward to teach us about the legislation.
We're going to suspend this portion of the meeting and go in camera.
[Proceedings continue in camera]
