Steve Pomeroy, David Horwood and Tim Richter made statements and answered questions.

Tracy Gray moved, —

Given that:

1. A recent report from the Salvation Army indicates “1 in 4 Canadians continue to be extremely concerned about having enough income to cover their basic needs”;
2. This report found that in the province of Quebec, 74% of those surveyed said food security was a challenge they had faced in the last year;
3. A recent report from Food Banks Canada indicates that “Canada has reached a critical turning point as poverty and food insecurity worsen in every corner of the country”;
4. This report also expresses concerns regarding the design of the Canada Disability Benefit, saying, “its proposed structure falls far short of the expectations that the government itself created and of the consensus among disability advocates.”;
   The committee recognizes and reports to the House that Canada is facing a rapidly worsening affordability, housing, and food insecurity crisis.
   And, pursuant to Standing Order, 108(1)(a), the committee invite representatives from the Salvation Army and Food Banks Canada to appear before the committee to testify in relation to these findings as soon as possible, for no less than two hours each, and that the committee find additional resources if necessary to facilitate this meeting.

Debate arose thereon.

Bonita Zarrillo moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Peter Fragiskatos, Wayne Long, Tony Van Bynen, Bonita Zarrillo — 7;

NAYS: Rosemarie Falk, Michelle Ferreri, Tracy Gray, Corey Tochor — 4.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

Bonita Zarrillo moved, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)(a), the committee summon the CEO of Starlight Investments, Daniel Drimmer, to appear before the committee by June 20, 2024, to testify in relation to the study on federal housing investments for a minimum of two hours.

Debate arose thereon.

At 6:15 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 6:24 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The debate on the motion of Bonita Zarrillo continued.

At 6:32 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 6:34 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The debate on the motion of Bonita Zarrillo, as amended, continued.

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

YEAS: Dean Allison, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Rosemarie Falk, Peter Fragiskatos, Tracy Gray, Wayne Long, Corey Tochor, Tony Van Bynen, Bonita Zarrillo — 10;

NAYS: Louise Chabot — 1.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)(a), the committee request the CEO of Starlight Investments, Daniel Drimmer, to appear before the committee by June 20, 2024, as part of a panel of witnesses with regards to the study on federal housing investments for the duration of the panel.

It was agreed, — That Heather Walkus be the recipient of the 2024 Centennial Flame Research Award.

At 6:37 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 6:42 p.m., the meeting resumed in camera.