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HUMA Committee Meeting

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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 141
Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 11:00 a.m. to Thursday, December 12, 2024, 1:07 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Robert J. Morrissey, Chair (Liberal)

• Jamil Jivani for Kyle Seeback (Conservative)
• Arpan Khanna for Kyle Seeback (Conservative)
• Don Stewart for Scott Aitchison (Conservative)
Library of Parliament
• Antoine Dedewanou, Analyst
• Vanessa Preston, Analyst
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
• Nadine Leblanc, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and Policy and Interim Chief Risk Officer
• Coleen Volk, President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, October 10, 2024, the committee proceeded to commence a briefing by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Coleen Volk made a statement, and together with Nadine Leblanc, answered questions.

At 12:36 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, December 12, 2024 , the meeting resumed in public.

By unanimous consent, on motion of Peter Fragiskatos, it was agreed, — That the committee proceed to the appearance of the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities.

• Hon. Kamal Khera, P.C., M.P., Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
Department of Employment and Social Development
• Kristina Namiesniowski, Senior Associate Deputy Minister
• Elisha Ram, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development
• Saajida Deen, Director General, Employment Program Policy and Design, Skills and Employment Branch
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, February 12, 2024, the committee resumed its study of Canada without barriers by 2040.

Minister Khera made a statement and, together with Kristina Namiesniowski, answered questions.

At 11:57 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:01 p.m., the meeting resumed.

• Hon. Kamal Khera, P.C., M.P., Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
Department of Employment and Social Development
• Kristina Namiesniowski, Senior Associate Deputy Minister
• Karen Hall, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch
• Elisha Ram, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development
• Saajida Deen, Director General, Employment Program Policy and Design, Skills and Employment Branch
Pursuant to Standing Order 81(5) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the committee resumed its study of the subject matter of Supplementary Estimates (B), 2024-25: Vote 1b under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Votes 1b and 5b under Department of Employment and Social Development, and briefing on Ministerial Priorities and Mandates.

Minister Khera, Kristina Namiesniowski and Elisha Ram answered questions.

Motion

Tracy Gray moved, — Given that, across Canada,

- 44% of Canadians feel worse-off financially compared to last year.
- A third of Canadians are experiencing an inadequate standard of living.
- Nearly one in four Canadians are experiencing food insecurity.
- Nearly one in five children live in poverty, representing nearly 1.4 million children.

The committee undertake a study on poverty in Canada, and in particular, the way in which poverty is measured and tracked in Canada, and the lived experiences of those deemed to be above and below the Market Basket Measure (MBM) poverty line; that the study be prioritized; that the study be comprised of no less than twelve meetings; that Statistics Canada officials be invited to appear as part of the study; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Amendment

Peter Fragiskatos moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “that the study be prioritized" and by deleting the words "no less than"

And, by replacing the words "twelve meetings" with the words "four meetings".

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Peter Fragiskatos and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Rosemarie Falk, Peter Fragiskatos, Tracy Gray, Jamil Jivani, Wayne Long, Don Stewart, Tony Van Bynen, Bonita Zarrillo — 11;

NAYS: — 0.

Amendment

Bonita Zarrillo moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “be invited to appear as part of the study.” the following: “that each party get an equal number of witnesses;”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Bonita Zarrillo and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Bonita Zarrillo — 1;

NAYS: Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Rosemarie Falk, Peter Fragiskatos, Tracy Gray, Jamil Jivani, Wayne Long, Don Stewart, Tony Van Bynen — 10.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Rosemarie Falk, Peter Fragiskatos, Tracy Gray, Jamil Jivani, Wayne Long, Don Stewart, Tony Van Bynen, Bonita Zarrillo — 11;

NAYS: — 0.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

Given that, across Canada,

- 44% of Canadians feel worse-off financially compared to last year.
- A third of Canadians are experiencing an inadequate standard of living.
- Nearly one in four Canadians are experiencing food insecurity.
- Nearly one in five children live in poverty, representing nearly 1.4 million children.

The committee undertake a study on poverty in Canada, and in particular, the way in which poverty is measured and tracked in Canada, and the lived experiences of those deemed to be above and below the Market Basket Measure (MBM) poverty line; that the study be comprised of four meetings; that Statistics Canada officials be invited to appear as part of the study; and that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House.

Questioning of Minister Khera resumed.

At 1:07 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Ariane Calvert
Clerk of the committee