FEWO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met in camera at 9:02 a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Yasmin Ratansi, presiding.

The Committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed, — That the final report, as amended, entitled: “Towards Gender Responsive Budgeting: Rising To The Challenge of Achieving Gender Equality” be adopted as the Eleventh Report of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk and analysts be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.

It was agreed, — That a press release be prepared and sent immediately upon tabling of the report in the House.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee make the necessary arrangements for a press conference to be held on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 10:30 a.m., after the tabling of the Committee’s report to the House entitled: "Towards Gender Responsive Budgeting: Rising To The Challenge of Achieving Gender Equality"; and that Committee be represented by the two vice-chairs and a representative from the Liberal Party and the Bloc Québecois.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Library of Parliament and the Parliamentary Budget Officer develop expertise in gender-based analysis and that all analyses done by the Library of Parliament and by the Parliamentary Budget Officer include a gender-based analysis and that this motion be reported to the House of Commons.

At 9:52 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:56 a.m., the Committee resumed sitting in public.

Irene Mathyssen moved, — Whereas the Standing Committee of Justice and Human Rights has not met to address legislative matters since March 11, 2008 and is therefore not functioning in a meaningful manner and; whereas the content and subject matter of Bill C-484, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (injuring or causing the death of an unborn child while committing an offence), could be more properly addressed by the Standing Committee on the Status of Women; therefore be it resolved that the Standing Committee on the Status of Women request that the House of Commons refer Bill C-484 to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

The Chair ruled the proposed motion inadmissible as Bill C-484 falls under the Criminal Code and the Department of Justice and is not under the mandate of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

Irene Mathyssen moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee study the subject matter of injuring or causing the death of a fetus while committing an offence; its impact on women and that the Committee also study the impact of similar legislation in other international jurisdictions.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

Irene Mathyssen moved, — That the Committee meet jointly with the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to express the Committees concern with Bill C-484, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (injuring or causing the death of an unborn child while committing an offence).

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

At 10:52 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.