HUMA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met at 11:10 a.m. this day, in Room 705 La Promenade Building, the Chair, Raymonde Folco, presiding.

It was agreed, — That a letter be circulated to members regarding the review of prior appointments and that their comments be sent to the Clerk before the meeting scheduled Tuesday, February 15th, 2005.

The Committee commenced its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.

On Clause 24.1,

“24.1 (1) Not later than November 30 in each year, the Commission shall set the premium rate that the Commission considers will, to the extent possible, over a business cycle,

(a) serve the best interests of the contributors and beneficiaries under the employment insurance system;

(b) ensure that there is enough revenue to pay the expenses authorized to be charged to the Employment Insurance Account;

(c) maintain stable rate levels; and

(d) ensure that the difference between the assets and liabilities of the Employment Insurance Account does not exceed fifteen billion dollars.

(2) On the first day of October in each year, the Commission shall cause a report to be sent to the Minister containing

(a) the reasons for setting the premium rate for the year;

(b) any change to the amount of benefits that the Commission considers will, to the extent possible, over a business cycle,

(i) ensure that there is enough revenue to pay the expenses authorized to be charged to the Employment Insurance Account, and

(ii) maintain stable rate levels;

(c) a detailed description of the assets of the Commission on the first day of September in each year;

(d) a detailed description of the amounts that have been paid into or paid out of the Employment Insurance Account since the previous report;

(e) an estimate of the amounts to be paid into the Employment Insurance Account under the Employment Insurance Act for the following year, calculated on the basis of the premium rate set by the Commission in the report;

(f) an estimate of the amounts to be paid out of the Employment Insurance Account under the Employment Insurance Act for the following year, calculated on the basis of the amount of benefits to be paid set by the Commission in the report;

(g) any recommendations that the Commission considers necessary for the improvement of the employment insurance system, including amendments to Acts, regulations and policies with respect to employment insurance; and

(h) any other information that the Commission considers necessary.

(3) The Minister shall cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first five days on which that House is sitting after the Minister receives it.”

Debate arose thereon.

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 654 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice.

Whereupon, Paul Crête appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was sustained, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 3.

On Clause 64,

“64. Sections 66 to 66.3 of the Employment Insurance Act are repealed.

64.1 Sections 127 and 128 of the Act are repealed.”

Debate arose thereon.

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 654 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice.

On Clause 20,

“Commission consisting of 17 commissioners”

Debate arose thereon.

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it infringed on the financial initiative of the Crown, as provided on page 655 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice.

“The 17 commissioners are the following: the deputy minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, who is the President of the Commission, an assistant deputy minister who is the vice-president, a third member representing the government, 7 persons named after consultations with the union's organizations”

Debate arose thereon.

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it infringed on the financial initiative of the Crown, as provided on page 655 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice.

Clauses 3 to 15 inclusive carried on division severally.

At 12:40, the committee suspended due to technical problems.

At 12:42, the sitting resumed.

At 12:46, the Committee suspended due to technical problems.

At 1:05, the sitting resumed, in room 701 La Promenade Building.

Clauses 16 and 17 carried severally.

Paul Crête moved, — That clause 18, line 1, be amended by substituting the word “may” with the word “shall”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Paul Crête and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 7.

Paul Crête moved, — That article 18 be amended by deleting subsection (4).

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Paul Crête and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 2; NAYS: 9.

Clauses 18 and 19 carried on division severally.

By unanimous consent, Clause 20 was allowed to stand.

Clauses 21 to 23 inclusive carried on division severally.

Yves Lessard moved, — That article 24 be amended by deleting subsection (2).

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Yves Lessard and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 8.

The question: "That the Committee continue to sit until 13:50" was put and was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

At 1:35 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.