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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 6
Thursday, February 3, 2022, 3:34 p.m. to 5:32 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Robert J. Morrissey, Chair (Liberal)

Library of Parliament
• Eleni Kachulis, Analyst
• Isabelle Lafontaine-Émond, Analyst
The committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to committee business.

Motion

Bonita Zarrillo moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the labour shortages and workers' conditions within the care economy including healthcare workers, personal support workers, and childcare workers who have been on the frontlines of COVID-19, and examine how the government, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, should implement long-term investments in the care economy; that the government, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, improve credential recognition for Canadians and permanent residents who have been trained abroad; that the committee invite the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, experts and departmental officials to testify; that the committee hold at least five meetings; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Amendment

Chad Collins moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “should implement long-term investments in the care economy; that the government, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, improve credential recognition for Canadians and permanent residents who have been trained abroad” with the following: “could improve working conditions in the care economy; that the committee proceed to an overview of the impact of the labour shortages in the Canadian workforce on the first meeting of the study”, and by replacing the word “five” with the word “six”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Chad Collins and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Bob Benzen, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Matt Jeneroux, Stephanie Kusie, Wayne Long, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Alex Ruff, Tony Van Bynen, Bonita Zarrillo — 10;

NAYS: Louise Chabot — 1.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, of Bonita Zarrillo, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the labour shortages and workers' conditions within the care economy including healthcare workers, personal support workers, and childcare workers who have been on the frontlines of COVID-19, and examine how the government, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, could improve working conditions in the care economy; that the committee proceed to an overview of the impact of the labour shortages in the Canadian workforce on the first meeting of the study; that the committee invite the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, experts and departmental officials to testify; that the committee hold at least six meetings; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

The debate continued.

Amendment

Stephanie Kusie moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “workers’ conditions within” the following: “the entirety of the Canadian economy, including but not limited to,”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Stephanie Kusie and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Bob Benzen, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Matt Jeneroux, Stephanie Kusie, Wayne Long, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Alex Ruff, Tony Van Bynen, Bonita Zarrillo — 10;

NAYS: — 0.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, of Bonita Zarrillo, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the labour shortages and workers' conditions within the entirety of the Canadian economy, including but not limited to, the care economy including healthcare workers, personal support workers, and childcare workers who have been on the frontlines of COVID-19, and examine how the government, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, could improve working conditions in the care economy; that the committee proceed to an overview of the impact of the labour shortages in the Canadian workforce on the first meeting of the study; that the committee invite the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, experts and departmental officials to testify; that the committee hold at least six meetings; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

The debate continued.

Amendment

Soraya Martinez Ferrada moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “recommendations to the House” the following: “; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Soraya Martinez Ferrada and it was agreed to.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Bob Benzen, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Matt Jeneroux, Stephanie Kusie, Wayne Long, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Alex Ruff, Tony Van Bynen, Bonita Zarrillo — 10;

NAYS: Louise Chabot — 1.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the labour shortages and workers' conditions within the entirety of the Canadian economy, including but not limited to, the care economy including healthcare workers, personal support workers, and childcare workers who have been on the frontlines of COVID-19, and examine how the government, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, could improve working conditions in the care economy; that the committee proceed to an overview of the impact of the labour shortages in the Canadian workforce on the first meeting of the study; that the committee invite the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, experts and departmental officials to testify; that the committee hold at least six meetings; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Motion

Chad Collins moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study regarding options for the design and rollout for the government’s proposed Housing Accelerator Fund, including, but not limited to, investments in staffing and technological support for municipal planning departments, property purchases, infrastructure upgrades, and policy development (i.e. inclusionary zoning and transit oriented development bylaws) for the purpose of reaching the government’s goal of 100,000 new homes by 2024-25; that the study also investigate how the government can build on the Federal Lands Initiative to identify federally owned properties that might be made available to municipalities and/or other stakeholders for the purpose of increasing housing supply; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Debate arose thereon.

Amendment

Matt Jeneroux moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “new homes by 2024-25;” the following: “that the committee invite the Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, and the Canada Mortgage Corporation to update the committee on Canada’s housing crisis, including but not limited to, the National Housing Strategy, the Rapid Housing Initiative, and the First-Time Home Buyers Incentive;”.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion of Chad Collins, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study regarding options for the design and rollout for the government’s proposed Housing Accelerator Fund, including, but not limited to, investments in staffing and technological support for municipal planning departments, property purchases, infrastructure upgrades, and policy development (i.e. inclusionary zoning and transit oriented development bylaws) for the purpose of reaching the government’s goal of 100,000 new homes by 2024-25; that the study also investigate how the government can build on the Federal Lands Initiative to identify federally owned properties that might be made available to municipalities and/or other stakeholders for the purpose of increasing housing supply; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

The debate continued.

Amendment

Soraya Martinez Ferrada moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “increasing housing supply;” the following: “; that the study of the government’s proposed Housing Accelerator Fund be the second study of the committee;”.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion of Chad Collins, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study regarding options for the design and rollout for the government’s proposed Housing Accelerator Fund, including, but not limited to, investments in staffing and technological support for municipal planning departments, property purchases, infrastructure upgrades, and policy development (i.e. inclusionary zoning and transit oriented development bylaws) for the purpose of reaching the government’s goal of 100,000 new homes by 2024-25; that the study also investigate how the government can build on the Federal Lands Initiative to identify federally owned properties that might be made available to municipalities and/or other stakeholders for the purpose of increasing housing supply; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Bob Benzen, Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Matt Jeneroux, Stephanie Kusie, Wayne Long, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Alex Ruff, Tony Van Bynen, Bonita Zarrillo — 11;

NAYS: — 0.

Motion

Matt Jeneroux moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee invite the Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, and the Canada Mortgage Corporation to update the committee on Canada’s housing crisis, including but not limited to, the National Housing Strategy, the Rapid Housing Initiative, and the First-Time Home Buyers Incentive.

Debate arose thereon.

Amendment

Bonita Zarrillo moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “First-Time Home Buyers Incentive;” the following: “; and that the committee invite the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and the Minister of Indigenous Services to update on progress on the strategy for the indigenous housing as the government committed to it in 2017”.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion of Matt Jeneroux, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee invite the Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, and the Canada Mortgage Corporation to update the committee on Canada’s housing crisis, including but not limited to, the National Housing Strategy, the Rapid Housing Initiative, and the First-Time Home Buyers Incentive.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Bob Benzen, Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Matt Jeneroux, Stephanie Kusie, Wayne Long, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Alex Ruff, Tony Van Bynen, Bonita Zarrillo — 11;

NAYS: — 0.

Motion

Louise Chabot moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the impact of COVID-19 on the financial, social, health and overall well-being of seniors; that the committee review existing and announced programs for seniors; that the evidence and documents received by the committee during the 2nd session of the 43rd Parliament regarding this study be considered by the committee during the current session; that the committee make recommendations to improve support for seniors; that the committee hold at least one two-hour meeting on this matter; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee ask the government to provide a comprehensive response to the report.

Debate arose thereon.

At 4:59 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:08 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion of Louise Chabot, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the impact of COVID-19 on the financial, social, health and overall well-being of seniors; that the committee review existing and announced programs for seniors; that the evidence and documents received by the committee during the 2nd session of the 43rd Parliament regarding this study be considered by the committee during the current session; that the committee make recommendations to improve support for seniors; that the committee hold at least one two-hour meeting on this matter; that, the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee ask the government to provide a comprehensive response to the report.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Bob Benzen, Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Matt Jeneroux, Stephanie Kusie, Wayne Long, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Alex Ruff, Tony Van Bynen, Bonita Zarrillo — 11;

NAYS: — 0.

Motion

Louise Chabot moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the effectiveness of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessment applications; that the committee invite the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion and all other relevant stakeholders to address this issue; that the committee hold a minimum of four meetings on this issue; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

At 5:32 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Danielle Widmer
Clerk of the committee