MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 10, 2023 (54) [English] The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at p.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Ratna Omidvar, presiding. Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bernard, Bovey, Burey, Dasko, Kutcher, McPhedran, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar, Osler, Petitclerc and Seidman (12). Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Cotter and Duncan (2).

Participating in the meeting: Ericka Dupont and Angus Wilson, procedural clerks, Committees Directorate; Laura Blackmore, Analyst, Library of Parliament. Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 9, 2023, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-22,

An Act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act. The committee resumed clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-22. Resuming debate on clause 14. The Honourable Senator Petitclerc moved t hat Bill C -22 be amended in clause 14, on page 7, by replacing line with the following: “14. This Act comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council, but no later than the”. After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.

It was agreed that clause 14, as amended, carry. It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the

short title, carry. The chair asked whether the

preamble shall carry. The Honourable Senator Dasko moved that Bill C -22 be amended in the

preamble, on page 1, by adding the following after line 8: “Whereas persons with disabilities may face additional barriers because of their gender, racialized or indigenous status or other intersecting statuses;”. The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted. The Honourable Senator McPhedran moved that Bill C-22 be amended in the

preamble, on page 2, (

a) by replacing line with the following: “Whereas Parliament recognizes the leading role”; (

b) by adding the following after line 13: “And whereas the Government of Canada is committed to using its best efforts to begin paying the Canada disability benefit within one year of this Act coming into force;”. At 4:43 p.m., the committee suspended. At 4:44 p.m., the committee resumed. Resuming debate on the motion in amendment to the

preamble of the Honourable Senator McPhedran, that Bill C-22 be amended in the

preamble, on page 2, (

a) by replacing line with the following: “Whereas Parliament recognizes the leading role”; (

b) by adding the following after line 13: “And whereas the Government of Canada is committed to using its best efforts to begin paying the Canada disability benefit within one year of this Act coming into force;”. The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote: YEAS The Honourable Senators Dasko, McPhedran, Mégie — [3] NAYS The Honourable Senators Bovey, Burey, Kutcher, Moodie, Omidvar, Osler, Seidman — [7] ABSTENTIONS The Honourable Senators Bernard, Petitclerc — [2] It was agreed that the

preamble, as amended, carry. It was agreed that the title carry. It was agreed that the bill, as amended, carry. It was agreed that the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel be authorized to make necessary technical, grammatical, or other required non -substantive changes as a result of the amendments adopted by the committee, including updating cross-references and renumbering of provisions. At 4:50 p.m., the committee suspended. At 4:51 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft report.

It was agreed that senators’ staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of the meeting. It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of the in camera portion of today’s meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the commi ttee for consultation by committee members and/or staff, and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session. It was agreed that observations be appended to the committee’s report. At 5:05 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:17 p.m., the committee resumed. It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the observations being appended to the report, taking into consideration the changes discussed in committee, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required. It was agreed that the chair report Bill C-22, with amendments and with observations, to the Senate. At 5:19 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair. ATTEST: Emily Barrette Clerk of the Committee