On motion of Bob Zimmer, it was agreed, — That the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, appear before the Committee for two (2) hours on Monday, April 11, 2016, to present their mandate letters and the objectives they intend to pursue as they carry out their mandates; and that senior departmental officials be invited to appear before the Committee on the same topic, for two (2) hours, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016.

It was agreed, — That the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows, be concurred in:

1. That the Committee conduct, as its first priority, a study of the impact of recent reforms to the Employment Insurance Program and to Employment Insurance appeals; that the study include an examination of the current low rates of access to Employment Insurance and their causes; and that the Government provide an answer to the recommendations made by the Committee.

2. That, concerning the study of the impact of recent reforms to the Employment Insurance Program and to Employment Insurance appeals, the Committee hold a total of five (5) meetings which are to be divided as follows:

- One (1) meeting to receive a briefing from departmental officials;

- Three (3) meetings to hear from witnesses; and

- One (1) meeting for the consideration of a draft report.

3. That, concerning the study of the impact of recent reforms to the Employment Insurance Program and to Employment Insurance appeals, the total number of witnesses be divided among the recognized parties according to their standings in the House of Commons and that each party send a prioritized list of witnesses including their contact information to the Clerk of the Committee no later than Monday, February 29, 2016, at 4:00 p.m.

4. That the Committee conduct, as its second priority, a study of poverty reduction strategies currently in place across Canada; that the study focus on improving the delivery of federal resources and services for the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy; that the study be based on four main areas of implementation: Neighbourhoods (eg. affordable housing and homeless shelters), Workforce (eg. skills training), Education, and Health; that special focus be put on improving services for our most vulnerable citizens: children, the disabled, people experiencing mental illness, and seniors living in poverty; that the Committee receive witnesses for sixteen (16) meetings; and that the Government provide an answer to the recommendations made by the Committee.