The Chair presented the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows:

Your subcommittee met on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, to consider the business of the committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women; that the evidence and documentation received by the committee during the 1st Session of the 43rd Parliament on the subject be taken into consideration by the committee in the current session; that the committee report its recommendations to the House, and pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
2. That the study of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women commence on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
3. That prioritized witness lists for the study of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women be sent to the clerk of the committee by Thursday, October 22, 2020.
4. That, pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday, September 30, 2020, the committee conduct a study on the Main Estimates 2020-21; that the study include, but not be limited to, the following witnesses: the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and officials from the Department for Women and Gender Equality. That the committee complete its study no later than Friday, November 27, 2020; and that the committee report the Estimates to the House.
5. That the subcommittee meet in January 2021 to provide recommendations on the prioritization of the following studies:
   1. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on women’s unpaid work and the contribution made by the family and humanitarian tasks they perform for society (support and care of spouses, children, grandchildren, seniors, long-term care, etc.); that the committee report on the scope of this contribution, its economic and social value and the measures the federal government could take within its fields of jurisdiction respecting these activities. That the committee report its recommendations to the House, and pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
   2. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on women’s entrepreneurship in order to outline its prevalence and the associated gender-specific challenges and include in this study the impact of affirmative action measures by measuring their effects. That the committee report its recommendations to the House, and pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
   3. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study examining the challenges faced by women living in rural communities, including, but not limited to access to social services; access to public safety and emergency services; and access to emergency shelters. That the study consider the different circumstances encompassed within rural communities; that the study acknowledge the unique circumstances of Indigenous women in rural communities; that the committee report its findings to the House, and pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
   4. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on gender equality and increasing diversity in senior decision-making positions; that the study examine how to increase the number of women in senior decision-making positions across government, particularly in central agencies and in security-focused departments and agencies; that the study examine gender equality and diversity in private sector companies, and incentives for helping companies achieve greater equality and diversity in their leadership; that the study consider the particular challenges faced by racialized women, Indigenous women, and women from other marginalized communities; that the committee report its findings to the House, and pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
   5. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee conduct a study examining human trafficking of women, girls and gender-diverse individuals for sexual exploitation in Canada, including an examination of how to prevent the trafficking of individuals and ways to improve Canadian law enforcement’s capability to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators; that the study also consider how to empower victims and survivors to best reintegrate into society; that the committee hear from the appropriate minister(s); and the Special Advisor on Human Trafficking to hear of their plans for carrying out the new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking; that the committee report its findings to the House, and pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
   6. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on breaking down barriers for women in non-traditional sectors; that the study focus on the circumstances that contribute to the under representation of women in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, politics, entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering and mathematics; that the study also consider how to continue to progress on closing the gender wage gap and build a strong and diverse workforce as the country’s economy recovers from the COVID-19 Pandemic; that the committee report its findings to the House, and pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
   7. That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study examining online hate and cyberbullying from a gendered and intersectional perspective; that the study build on the previous reports on this topic from this committee and the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights; that the study make recommendations about how to end online hate and gender-based violence and cyberbullying; that the committee report its findings to the House, and pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

6. That the analysts provide an overview of recent studies on the issue of online hate and cyberbullying.
7. That the committee request an update on the government response to two reports from the 1st Session of the 42nd Parliament: Taking Action to End Violence Against Young Women and Girls in Canada and Women’s Economic Security: Securing the Future of Canada’s Economy; that the committee requests a response no later than Thursday, December 31, 2020.

It was agreed, — That the First Report from the subcommittee be concurred in.

Pat Armstrong, by videoconference from Toronto, Ontario, Carole Estabrooks, by videoconference from Edmonton, Alberta, and Jodi Hall, by videoconference from Fredericton, New Brunswick, made statements and answered questions.

At 11:57 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:59 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Julie Bauman, by videoconference from London, Ontario, Jenny Duffy, by videoconference from Toronto, Ontario, and Julia Drydyk by videoconference from Toronto, Ontario, made statements and answered questions.