Human Resources committee  Thank you, Chair and members, for inviting us. I won't use the 10 minutes. I just want to say a few words. I'm the deputy minister for the labour program. I am accompanied by Tony Giles, who is the ADM responsible for policy, dispute resolution and international affairs; and Gary Robertson, who is the ADM responsible for compliance, operations and development.

Human Resources committee  Thank you very much. I will speak more slowly. If there is something, please interrupt me again. I was just saying that the regulated sector is limited to a few major industries for the Canadian economy. I'm talking about interprovincial and international transportation, banking systems, telecoms and, in some respects, the federal public service.

Human Resources committee  The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service provides an essential service. It is the only group in Canada that helps federal employers negotiate collective agreements. Every year, more than 325 collective agreements expire. At this time there are 19 mediators in the 6 regional offices.

Human Resources committee  I have a few things. Under the opportunities fund there is specific funding that goes to organizations. We've talked earlier about Ready, Willing and Able as an initiative that is targeted to people who suffer from autism. There are other providers that get funding under that program that supports individuals who have intellectual disability or suffer from autism.

Human Resources committee  I may be able to help you, to a point. The budget announced funding for the Ready, Willing and Able initiative. The funding will go through that organization, with the two organizations working together, and they will be responsible for how the funding is allocated. Under the opportunities fund, there are calls for different proposals.

Human Resources committee  Thank you. I've missed the beginning of your question. Which amount of money are you suggesting?

Human Resources committee  The eligibility to access the bond or the grant is tied to the eligibility for the DTC. The RDSP eligibility is tied to the eligibility for the DTC. As the minister explained, this is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency and is available for individuals who suffer from prolonged and severe disability, which might have an impact on their ability to work.

Human Resources committee  Actually, I don't, but I can follow up on that.

Human Resources committee  It was posted in the other GIC appointments in an accessible manner, obviously. We did outreach with stakeholder organizations and other interested parties where we thought there could be good talent. We feel very comfortable that we have a good set of talented individuals who have put their names forward.

Human Resources committee  In terms of supporting employment for persons with intellectual disability including people who suffer from autism spectrum disorders, the funding would be provided to the Canadian Association for Community Living in partnership with the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Association for the continuation of the initiative that's called Ready, Willing and Able.

Human Resources committee  There are two elements to that funding. There is $1 million for CNIB that will be focused on supporting small businesses and hiring people who are visually impaired. There is $500,000 for doing more work on improving the accessibility of payment terminals.

Human Resources committee  The department is looking at all options, but as it stands now, the eligibility for the RDSP is tied to DTC. That hasn't changed. The government hasn't made changes to this. As Minister Qualtrough has indicated, they may change the RDSP to allow people to keep their account in cases where they lose eligibility.

Human Resources committee  Also, as she mentioned, it's so that they can keep their RDSP in case of bankruptcy. Those were the new measures that the government has put forward. At this point, the eligibility remains linked to the DTC.

Human Resources committee  Thank you for the question. I'm sorry, I don't have the page.

Human Resources committee  I may have to do some follow-up regarding this specific question, to see which statistics have increased by 50%. As for the increased budget for the employment program, the 2019 budget announced the allocation of one million dollars a year for a mediation and conciliation service, that is to say for the team that handles collective agreement negotiations, not the team that deals with the implementation of health and safety regulations and standards.