FEWO Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 25

Thursday, June 4, 2009

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met by videoconference at 11:08 a.m. this day, in Room 214, Wellington Building, the Vice-Chair, Patricia Davidson, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Sylvie Boucher, Patricia Davidson, Nicole Demers, Luc Desnoyers, Candice Hoeppner, Irene Mathyssen, Cathy McLeod, Hon. Anita Neville, Tilly O'Neill-Gordon and Lise Zarac.

Acting Members present: Daniel Petit for Sylvie Boucher and Hon. Joseph Volpe for Hon. Hedy Fry.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Julie Cool, Analyst.

Witnesses: Canadian Federation of University Women: Susan Russell, Executive Director. National Association of Women and the Law: Susan Russell, Member of the National Steering Committee. Women's Legal Education and Action Fund: Joanna Birenbaum, Director of Litigation. As an individual: Margot E. Young, Associate Professor of Law, University of British Columbia.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study of the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

Candice Hoeppner moved, — That the Standing Committee on the Status of Women call on Parliament to support aboriginal women living on reserves and that in the event of a marriage or common law relationship break down, women living on reserve be afforded the same rights and protections as all other Canadian women currently enjoy.

Anita Neville moved, — That the motion be amended to read:

That the Committee call on the government to support First Nations women living on reserve, as stipulated in the “Declaration of the United Nations on the Rights of Indigenous People“, by consultating, as per its legal duty, those affected by marital breakdown; including First Nations women and families, First Nations communities, Regional Aboriginal Associations and National Aboriginal Organizations, to ensure that an appropriate resolution to the issue of matrimonial real property is found that meets the needs of all those affected.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was in fact a substantive motion and not an amendment. Pursuant to the motion adopted by the Committee on Thursday, February 5, 2009 in relation to the 48 hours notice regarding substantive motions, the motion could not be discussed now.

Whereupon, Anita Neville appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was overturned, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 5.

At 1:02 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Danielle Bélisle
Clerk of the Committee

2009/09/30 9:02 a.m.