FEWO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met at 8:57 a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Anita Neville, it was agreed, — That Hon. Hedy Fry be elected Chair of the Committee, in absentia.

By unanimous consent, the Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Sylvie Boucher, it was agreed, — That Cathy McLeod be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Nicole Demers, it was agreed, — That Irene Mathyssen be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Hedy Fry took the Chair.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to the study of violence against Aboriginal women, the proposed budget in the amount of $117,407, for the Committee’s travel to Vancouver and Williams Lake, British Columbia; Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; and Edmonton, Alberta in Fall-Winter 2010-2011 be adopted and that the Chair present the said budget to the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Liaison Committee.

Nicole Demers moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study of the feasibility of an agreement between the two levels of government enabling all women workers in Quebec the option of precautionary cessation of work with compensation from the Commission de la santé et sécurité au travail and that the Committee report its observations and recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Anita Neville moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “observations” the following: “including a scan of what is happening in other provinces and territories as it relates to the issue”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Anita Neville and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 5.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 5.

Anita Neville moved, — That the Committee unanimously endorse the initiative by Equal Voice on October 19, 2010, to elevate the tone of the debate in the House of Commons in order to attract and retain more women in politics and better showcase the good work that is being done; and that this endorsement be reported to the House as soon as possible.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Irene Mathyssen moved, — That the Committee undertake a study on the cancellation of the mandatory long form census and its impact on women’s equality in Canada; as well as the removal of questions on unpaid work – formerly listed under Question #33 in the 2006 mandatory long-form census – from the new voluntary National Household Survey; and

That the study take into account the United Nations Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to which Canada committed.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

At 9:40 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:41 a.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

At 10:43 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.