HUMA Committee Meeting

Meeting No. 3

Tuesday, November 16, 1999

The Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met at 11:11 a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Peter Adams, presiding.

Member(s) of the Committee present: Diane Ablonczy, Peter Adams, Paul Crête, Libby Davies, Raymonde Folco, John Godfrey, Judi Longfield, Rey Pagtakhan, Karen Redman and Bryon Wilfert.

Acting Member(s) present: Ken Epp for Maurice Vellacott.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Sandra Harder, Researcher; Kevin Kerr, Researcher; Bill Young, Researcher.

Witness(es): From the Department of Human Resources Development Canada: Alan Winberg, Assistant Deputy Minister, Financial and Administrative Services; Guy Tremblay, Director General, Financial Services.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), study of the Human Resources Development Canada Performance Report for the period ending March 31, 1999

John Godfrey moved, -- That pursuant to Standing Order 108(1) (a)(b), a Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities be established, and that pursuant to 108(2) the Sub-Committee:

1. provide a parliamentary forum for public input into the identification of key substantive features of a national action plan;
2. identify what are seen as the key spending priorities for the 2000 Budget period, and
3. identify long term priorities as the national action plan takes shape

That the Sub-Committee be composed of nine members or associate members of the Committee namely five government members and four members representing the opposition parties to be named after the usual consultations with the whips and filed with the Clerk;

That the Sub-Committee report thereon its findings and recommendations to the Committee no later than February 17^th, 2000 at which point its mandate will be reviewed in the light of the work of the main Committee;

That the Sub-Committee be empowered, except when the House otherwise orders, to send for persons, papers and records, to receive evidence, to sit no more than once a week, unless otherwise authorized by the Committee during a time when the Committee is not sitting, to sit during periods when the House stands adjourn, to print from day to day such papers as may be ordered by it and to authorize the Chair to hold meetings to receive evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least 3 members are present including the opposition;

That when the Chair of the Sub-Committee is unable to act in that capacity at or during a meeting of the Sub-Committee, he shall designate a member of the Sub-Committee to act as Chair at or during the said meeting;

That substitution of members on the Sub-Committee be in accordance with Standing Order114(2)(b) and (c);

That the Committee authorize the allocation of sufficient funds from its budget to the Sub-Committee for the payment of reasonable travelling and living expenses to witnesses appearing before the Sub-Committee;

That the Sub-Committee be empowered to retain the services of research officers from the Library of Parliament and;

That it also be empowered to retain the professional, clerical and stenographic help as may be required.

After debate, Paul Crête moved, -- That the motion be tabled. The Chair ruled:

RULING BY THE CHAIR

"In Canadian parliamentary practice the practice of tabling a motion does not exist, therefore the motion is out of order"

And debate arising thereon, Paul Crête moved the following amendment: that the motion be amended by adding after the words "plan takes shape" the following:

4. "Determine why successive governments failed to fulfil the House's commitment to eliminate poverty among children."

After debate, the question being put on the amendment it was by a show of hands negatived:

The question being raised as to the acceptability of the motion considered, since the Committee had adopted a motion requiring a 48 hours notice before a new item of business is considered, the Chair ruled:

RULING BY THE CHAIR

Paul Crête moved, -- That the consideration of the motion be delayed till 12:30 p.m..

After debate, the question being put on the motion it was by a show of hands negatived:

The question being put on the main motion it was by a show of hands adopted:

At 11:38 p.m., the Committee proceeded to study the Human Resources Development Canada Performance Report for the period ending March 31, 1999.

Alan Winberg made a statement and with the other witness answered questions.

At 1:05 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Danielle Belisle

Clerk of the Committee