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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 125
Thursday, September 26, 2024, 11:02 a.m. to 1:17 p.m.
Televised
Presiding
Robert J. Morrissey, Chair (Liberal)

Library of Parliament
• Eleni Kachulis, Analyst
• Vanessa Preston, Analyst
As an individual
• Paul Clark, Optometrist
Department of Employment and Social Development
• Stephanie Cadieux, Chief Accessibility Officer, Office of the Chief Accessibility Officer
Office of the Auditor General
• Milan Duvnjak, Principal
• Susie Fortier, Director
• Paule-Anny Pierre, Senior Assistant Auditor General
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, February 12, 2024, the committee commenced its study of Canada without barriers by 2040.

Motion

Tracy Gray moved, — Given that,

  1. Mr. Christopher Sutton of the Wavefront Centre was invited to participate in the committee’s study on the goal of achieving a Canada without Barriers by 2040.
  2. That Mr. Sutton was blocked from participating in this study because his audio assistive technologies did meet the Committee or House Administration’s headset rules.
  3. That this represents a clear barrier to access for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing Canadians

The House of Commons Administration unreservedly apologize to Mr. Sutton, reschedule the appearance of Mr. Sutton and investigate the committee’s audio device rules and report back on what changes they will be making within a month to remove this discriminatory barrier to access.

Debate arose thereon.

Motion

Bonita Zarrillo moved, — That the committee do now adjourn.

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

YEAS: Bonita Zarrillo — 1;

NAYS: Scott Aitchison, Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Rosemarie Falk, Peter Fragiskatos, Tracy Gray, Wayne Long, Dan Muys, Tony Van Bynen — 10.

At 11:28 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 11:33 a.m., the meeting resumed.

On motion of Chad Collins, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding the word “not” after the words “technologies did” in subparagraph b.

On motion of Louise Chabot, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words "Committee or" in subparagraph b.

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

YEAS: Scott Aitchison, Louise Chabot, Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Rosemarie Falk, Peter Fragiskatos, Tracy Gray, Wayne Long, Dan Muys, Tony Van Bynen, Bonita Zarrillo — 11;

NAYS: — 0.

The motion, as amended, read as follows;

Given that,

  1. Mr. Christopher Sutton of the Wavefront Centre was invited to participate in the committee’s study on the goal of achieving a Canada without Barriers by 2040.
  2. That Mr. Sutton was blocked from participating in this study because his audio assistive technologies did not meet the House Administration’s headset rules.
  3. That this represents a clear barrier to access for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing Canadians.

The House of Commons Administration unreservedly apologize to Mr. Sutton, reschedule the appearance of Mr. Sutton and investigate the committee’s audio device rules and report back on what changes they will be making within a month to remove this discriminatory barrier to access.

Stéphanie Cadieux and Paule-Anny Pierre made statements and, with Milan Duvnjak and Susie Fortier, answered questions.

At 12:35 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:40 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Paul Clark made a statement and answered questions

The committee resumed consideration of the motion of Louise Chabot moved on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, which read as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study of the situation of workers in the seasonal industry with regard to the inadequacy of the employment insurance program to meet the needs of these workers, who often face job insecurity and financial difficulties for themselves and their families; that the Committee devote 3 meetings, including 2 to hear witnesses; that it invite the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and public servants to answer the Committee's questions for one hour, as well as groups defending the rights of the unemployed; And that the Committee report its recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

Amendment

Peter Fragiskatos moved, —

That the motion be amended by:

  1. replacing the words “the inadequacy of” with the words “necessary improvements and changes to”
  2. by adding the words “and other relevant witnesses” after the words “defending the rights of the unemployed ”;
  3. deleting the word “and” preceding the words “that the committee report”;
  4. adding the words “; And that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that a comprehensive response to the study.” after the words “its recommendations to the House.”

Debate arose thereon.

At 12:57 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:59 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Subamendment

Louise Chabot moved, — That the amendment be amended by deleting the words “And that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that a comprehensive response to the study”.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Peter Fragiskatos, it was agreed, — That the debate be now adjourned.

Questioning of Paul Clark resumed.

The committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to committee business.

Motion

Wayne Long moved, — That the committee prioritize the witnesses listed in the motion adopted on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

Motion

Peter Fragiskatos moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

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

YEAS: Chad Collins, Michael Coteau, Peter Fragiskatos, Wayne Long, Tony Van Bynen — 5;

NAYS: Scott Aitchison, Louise Chabot, Rosemarie Falk, Tracy Gray, Dan Muys, Bonita Zarrillo — 6.

On motion of Peter Fragiskatos, it was agreed, — That the meeting be now adjourned.

At 1:17 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Philip den Ouden
Committee clerk