Status of Women Committee on Jan. 30th, 2024

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Marc doesn't love me anymore.

[Marc Serré, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

It has nothing to do with that, Karen, please. It's a clarification of the rules.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Stephanie Bond]

Thank you for the question.

I understand the question. The reason is that she's a regular member, because the vice-chair has assumed the chair for today. It's her choice to abstain. Removing her from the list would not be in my purview.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Sonia Sidhu]

Before I go to Madame Larouche, I want to say that this motion was referred to the subcommittee, and we will proceed to Bill S-205.

Madame Larouche, do you want to speak?

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

I understand that, normally, Mrs. Vecchio can't vote because of her position as chair. However, today she was simply a member of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Sonia Sidhu]

Anita, go ahead.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

It seems there is inconsistency among committees. There were several committees where government chairs were online, did not vote and did not get called out to vote, so I think this is something that would need to be referred to the head clerk and the whips.

Pending that, I want to make sure we're noting our objection to it.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Sonia Sidhu]

Thank you. That is noted.

(On clause 3)

Now we are proceeding to clause 3 and amendment G-8.

Does the member want to move it?

Before she moves it, in order to be consistent throughout the bill, members should keep in mind the decision made on amendment G-6 while they consider G-8, since G-8 seeks to renumber subparagraphs that are impacted by G-6.

I'll ask the member to move G-8.

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

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

The interpreter isn't speaking very loudly. I have to turn up the volume. Maybe she should move closer to her microphone. I don't know whether I'm the only person having this issue.

Ms. Larouche agrees that the interpreter is speaking very softly. It's difficult for us. We need to turn the volume up as high as possible.

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Sonia Sidhu]

Dominique, we'll make sure the interpreter addresses this issue.

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

That's better.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Sonia Sidhu]

Is everything okay now? Thank you.

Lisa.

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I don't have a lot to say about G-8. I believe it's just a consequential amendment to G-6, which already passed. It just changes numbers to make the bill comprehensive and cohesive.

I don't know whether there's anything further to add.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Sonia Sidhu]

I don't see any other intervention.

Shall G-8 carry?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Shall clause 3 carry as amended?

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Excuse me, Madam Chair. Are we talking about amendment G‑8 again? I have a question.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Sonia Sidhu]

No. Amendment G‑8 carried. Now we're on clause 3 as amended.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Madam Chair, I had a question for the legal experts regarding amendment G‑8.

How would the impact of this amendment compare with the impact of the bill as it stands? I want to know more about this.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Sonia Sidhu]

Just because it was already carried and everyone was in favour, I'll ask the members if they give permission to go back, because we are now on clause 3.

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

It's just a numbering issue. It's just changing numbers in the thing. It doesn't really say anything consequential. I just don't want to waste too much time, so we can get through this.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Madam Chair, I don't want to hold up the process. However, things moved quickly. I was looking at the amendment and just wanted to ask the legal experts a question. I understand that it's a technicality, but I just want to make sure that I have this right.

[Julia Nicol, Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice]

The goal of the amendment is to remove the part on social media. This will change the order of the paragraph letters. As a result, “(h)” becomes “(g)” and “(i)” becomes “(h).”

The same changes had to be made to section 810.3.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Okay. Thank you.

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

You assumed that the previous amendment on social media would be adopted.

[Julia Nicol]

Of course, if the other amendment weren't adopted, the committee wouldn't need this motion. The two amendments are connected.

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

That's right. Thank you.