FEWO Committee Report

Dissenting Report from the Conservative Party of Canada

The Conservative Party agrees that the COVID-19 pandemic has been profound and far-reaching. We also agree with the general findings of the report that the pandemic has highlighted and increased structural inequalities between men and women. We want to thank all the witnesses for appearing before committee and those who submitted written briefs on this very important issue.

Women’s Paid Work

Sex Work & Sex Workers

The Committee heard from Julie Bauman, the co-founder and executive director for SafeSpace London and Jenny Duffy, the board chair for Maggie's Toronto. The witnesses shared with the Committee their opinions that sex workers are unable to access federal support programs, such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit because the nature of their work they choose not to file their taxes.[1] They explained that they wanted Parliament to conduct a review of Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act and to fully legalize prostitution.[2]

In 2015, because of the Attorney General of Canada v. Bedford Supreme Court of Canada case, our Conservative Government introduced Bill C-36, Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, which among protecting those who are victims of human trafficking and are often sexually exploited, included the legalization of the sale of consensual sex services. The Conservative Party strongly disagrees with the assertion that those who work in the sex industry are unable to access federal support programs because of their industry. Not only has certain acts of sex work been legalized but as pointed out by the witnesses, those who work in the industry choose not to file their taxes[3]. It is the opinion of the Conservatives that had these individuals filed their 2019 income tax they would have been eligible to access the federal emergency support programs.

The Conservatives completely disagree with Recommendation 9 and the request to review the Act as it falls outside of the scope of the study.   

Recommendations

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada is to review that federal income support programs, including supports for seniors and individuals with disabilities, meet Canadians’ needs during and after the pandemic.

Seniors helped build this country and deserve to be treated by their government with dignity and respect. However, the recommendation included meeting their needs after the pandemic. As the study had to with COVID-19 and its current impacts on women it is our view that this part of the recommendation is outside of the scope of the committee.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada work with the provinces and territories to ensure development of national standards related to health and safety, and working conditions and labour supply, in long-term care facilities that are consistent and are being met by facilities across the country, regardless of geographic location, in accordance with their respective jurisdictions.  

The “Ottawa knows best” approach is the wrong one for dealing with the crisis in long-term care, which dates back decades but has been laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic. As Conservatives we will partner with the provinces including respecting Quebec’s unique place in Confederation to assist them but will not take a top-down approach and therefore completely disagrees with this recommendation.

Recommendations 14 & 15

Both recommendations refer to the government continuing to develop a plan. The Conservatives disagree with the assertion that the committee recommends that the Government continues. We have heard from numerous witnesses that they felt the government was failing them as there had been little to no movement on these files.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada continue to provide funding specifically dedicated to helping organizations deliver programming to help victims and survivors of human trafficking.

The Conservatives reject the notion that the Government of Canada continue to provide funding. We heard from witnesses that under this Liberal government funding dedicated to helping organizations deliver programming to help victims and survivors of human trafficking had been cut.[4]

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada, with the goal of eliminating income insecurity and financially empowering women, consider replacing existing emergency benefits with a permanent universal basic income program.

The Conservatives don’t accept this recommendation on the basis that it was outside of the scope of the study.