HUMA Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 56

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

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 Vice-Chair, Raymonde Folco, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Josée Beaudin, Dona Cadman, Ron Cannan, Raymonde Folco, Ed Komarnicki, Yves Lessard, Ben Lobb, Tony Martin, Hon. Maria Minna, Michael John Savage and Maurice Vellacott.

Acting Members present: Gerald Keddy for Dean Allison and Gerard Kennedy for Hon. Maria Minna.

Associate Members present: Libby Davies.

Other Members present: Megan Anissa Leslie.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Hilary Jensen, Analyst ; André Léonard, Analyst . House of Commons: Wayne Cole, Legislative Clerk ; Lucie Tardif-Carpentier, Legislative Clerk.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, September 30, 2009, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-304, An Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians.

Gerard Kennedy moved, — That the clause-by-clause study of Bill C-304 be deferred until the Committee returns from its proposed travel West and North; that the Committee study Bill C-56, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts on November 19, 24 and 26, 2009 and at another meeting if needed; that the Bill be reported back to the House, no later than November 27, 2009; and, that clause-by-clause study of Bill C-304 resume on Tuesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 10, 2009.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 8; NAYS: 0.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Tuesday, February 10, 2009, the Committee resumed its study of the federal contribution to reducing poverty in Canada.

Tony Martin moved, — That, with November 24, 2009 marking the 20th anniversary of the 1989 unanimous resolution of this House to eliminate poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000, and not having achieved that goal, be it resolved that the Government of Canada, taking into consideration the Committee’s work in this regard, and respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction, develop an immediate plan to eliminate poverty in Canada for all, starting with achieving 50 per cent reduction in poverty by 2020 and, that this decision be reported to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Ed Komarnicki moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “starting with achieving 50 per cent reduction in poverty by 2020”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ed Komarnicki and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, with November 24, 2009 marking the 20th anniversary of the 1989 unanimous resolution of this House to eliminate poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000, and not having achieved that goal, be it resolved that the Government of Canada, taking into consideration the Committee’s work in this regard, and respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction, develop an immediate plan to eliminate poverty in Canada for all and, that this decision be reported to the House.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That this decision be reported to the House on Tuesday, November 24, 2009.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

Michael John Savage moved, — That this Committee and the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, hold at least one joint meeting to review Bill C-56.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

At 5:11 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Georges Etoka
Clerk of the Committee

2009/12/18 11:13 a.m.