HUMA Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Dean Allison, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $2,500, for Bill C-280, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (qualification for and entitlement to benefits), be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $2,000, for Bill C-304, An Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians, be adopted.

Carol Hughes, Barbara Byers and Rick Hamilton made statements and, with Andrew Jackson, answered questions.

The Committee resumed its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.

The Chair called Clause 1.

Clause 1 carried by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the result of the vote on Clause 1 be applied to Clauses 2 through 4.

Accordingly clauses 2 through 4 were also carried.

On Clause 5,

“to a claimant is 60% of the average of their”

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Yves Lessard and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

Clause 5, as amended, carried by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

Clause 6 carried by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the result of the vote on clause 6 would be applied to clause 7.

Accordingly clause 7 is also carried.

The Title carried.

The Bill, as amended, carried.

ORDERED, — That the Chair report the Bill, as amended, to the House.

ORDERED, — That Bill C-280, as amended, be reprinted for the use of the House at report stage.

Tony Martin moved, — That, with November 24, 2009, marking the 20th Anniversary of the 1989 unanimous resolution of this House to achieve the goal of eliminating poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000, which was not achieved, in spite of a certain improvement such as the child tax benefit and the National Child Benefit Supplement, be it resolved that the government of Canada develop a plan, while taking into consideration the current study being undertaken by the Committee, to eliminate poverty in Canada for all, while respecting provincial and territorial jurisdictions; and that the Committee report its decision to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That the debate be adjourned and deferred to the next committee meeting.

At 5:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.