FEWO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met at 8:45 a.m. this day, in Room C-160, 1 Wellington Street, the Chair, the Hon. Hedy Fry, presiding.

Gaëlle Breton-Le Goff made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee an email presented to the Committee by Michelle Simson, which was received in English only, as promptly as possible once the document has been translated.

Sylvie Boucher moved, — That, notwithstanding the routine motion adopted by the Committee in relation to the distribution of documents, the email presented to the Committee by Michelle Simson be distributed in English only.

Unanimous consent was denied.

At 10:08 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:09 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Michelle Simson moved, — That the Committee extend its study on language changes at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade by two (2) meetings;

That, for the first meeting, the Committee invite Jamieson Weetman, David Angell, Elissa Goldberg, Jim Nickel, Gwyn Kutz, all current or former officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade that were aware of the language changes; and

That, for the second meeting, the Committee invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ross O’Connor, former Foreign Affairs Policy Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office to explain why the government made the language changes.

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.

Nicole Demers moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee believes that polygamy goes against the right to equality between men and women and recommends that the government affirm that this practice does not reflect the values of democratic societies; and

That this motion be reported to the House at the first opportunity.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Irene Mathyssen, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “democratic societies” with the words “gender equality”.

By unanimous consent, after debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee believes that polygamy goes against the right to equality between men and women and recommends that the government affirm that this practice does not reflect the values of gender equality; and

That this motion be reported to the House at the first opportunity.

At 10:38 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:38 a.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

At 10:47 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.