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HUMA Committee Meeting

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Minutes of Proceedings

Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA)
44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 112
Monday, May 6, 2024, 3:31 p.m. to 5:52 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Robert J. Morrissey, Chair (Liberal)

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• Bob Zimmer for Rosemarie Falk (Conservative)
• Michael Barrett (Conservative)
• Michael Cooper (Conservative)
• Irek Kusmierczyk (Liberal)
• Stéphane Lauzon (Liberal)
Library of Parliament
• Antoine Dedewanou, Analyst
• Eleni Kachulis, Analyst
Subject Matter of Supplementary Estimates (C), 2023-24: Vote 1c under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Votes 1c, 5c and 10c under Department of Employment and Social Development
• Hon. Terry Beech, P.C., M.P., Minister of Citizens’ Services
• Hon. Randy Boissonnault, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages
Department of Employment and Social Development
• Paul Thompson, Deputy Minister
• Cliff Groen, Associate Deputy Minister and Chief Operating Officer for Service Canada
• Kristina Namiesniowski, Senior Associate Deputy Minister
• Brian Leonard, Director General and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Financial Planning
• John Ostrander, Business Lead, Benefits Delivery Modernization
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, February 29, 2024, the committee resumed its study of the subject matter of Supplementary Estimates (C), 2023-24: Vote 1c under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Votes 1c, 5c and 10c under Department of Employment and Social Development

Main Estimates 2024-25: Vote 1 under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Votes 1 and 5 under Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization, Vote 1 under Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, and Votes 1 and 5 under Department of Employment and Social Development
• Hon. Terry Beech, P.C., M.P., Minister of Citizens’ Services
• Hon. Randy Boissonnault, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages
Department of Employment and Social Development
• Paul Thompson, Deputy Minister
• Cliff Groen, Associate Deputy Minister and Chief Operating Officer for Service Canada
• Kristina Namiesniowski, Senior Associate Deputy Minister
• Brian Leonard, Director General and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Financial Planning
• John Ostrander, Business Lead, Benefits Delivery Modernization
Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), the committee resumed consideration of the Main Estimates 2024-25: Vote 1 under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Votes 1 and 5 under Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization, Vote 1 under Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, and Votes 1 and 5 under Department of Employment and Social Development, referred to the committee on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

At 3:32 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:34 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Minister Boissonnault made a statement and, together with Mr. Thompson, answered questions.

At 4:06 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 115(5), it was agreed that the committee continue to sit.

Motion

Bonita Zarrillo moved, — That, in the opinion of the committee, the government should safeguard the Canada Disability Benefit from any potential clawbacks and engage in comprehensive consultations with the disability community to ensure the effective implementation of the Canada Disability Benefit by:

(i) ensuring that the Canada Disability Benefit is adequate to lift people living with disabilities out of poverty,

(ii) ensuring that the Canada Disability Benefit is accessible through the reconsideration of the Disability Tax Credit as a barrier to access, and establishing a more equitable and accessible enrolment method,

(iii) acknowledging the multitude of unseen expenses associated with living with a disability, which exacerbates financial strain, particularly amidst escalating costs of living and inflation crises,

(iv) recognizing the adverse impact of benefit entitlement reductions as families earn higher taxable incomes, perpetuating cycles of poverty among lower-income households,

(v) collaborating with provinces and territories to fortify support systems for individuals with disabilities, thereby fostering inclusive and supportive communities across the country;

And the Committee report this to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

At 4:27 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 115(5), the sitting was suspended.

At 4:52 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The committee resumed consideration of the motion of Bonita Zarrillo.

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

Minister Beech made a statement and, with Cliff Groen, answered questions.

It was agreed, — That the committee invite the Assistant Chief Economist of RBC and the Governor of the Bank of Canada to appear before the committee on May 27, 2024, for one hour with regards to the study on Federal Housing Investments, as per the motion adopted on February 12, 2024.

At 5:52 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Ariane Calvert
Clerk of the committee