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44 th Parliament, 1 st Session

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THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 3, 2023

(52) [ English ]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met in camera this day at 4:01 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, Cotter, Dasko, Gold, P.C., McPhedran, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar, Osler, Petitclerc and Seidman (13).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Gagné and Kutcher (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, February 10, 2022, the committee continued its study on issues relating to social affairs, science and technology generally. (Topic: Canada's Temporary and Migrant Labour Force)

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 committee 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.

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee discussed in camera a draft agenda (future business).

At 4:09 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:11 p.m., the committee resumed in public.

It was agreed that the following special study budget application for a fact-finding mission to New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

GENERAL EXPENSES

ACTIVITY 1: Fact-finding mission to New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island

$110,450

TOTAL

$110,450

At 4:12 p.m., 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.

WITNESSES:

Employment and Social Development Canada:

Krista Wilcox, Director General, Office for Disability Issues;

Elisha Ram, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch.

It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-22.

It was agreed that the title stand postponed.

It was agreed that the

preamble stand postponed.

It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the

short title, stand postponed.

It was agreed that clause 2 carry.

It was agreed that clause 3 carry.

The chair asked whether clause 4 shall carry.

The Honourable Senator McPhedran moved that Bill C-22 be amended in clause 4, on page 3, by replacing line 2 with the following:

“they

(

a) meet the eligibility criteria set out in the regulations; or

(

b) are receiving any benefit or compensation (as defined in

section 2 of the Government Employees Compensation Act ) set out in the regulations.”.

Krista Wilcox and Elisha Ram answered questions from time to time.

After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived.

It was agreed that clause 4 carry.

It was agreed that clause 5 carry.

It was agreed that clause 6 carry.

The chair asked whether clause 7 shall carry.

The Honourable Senator Dasko moved that Bill C-22 be amended in clause 7, on page 3, by replacing line 14 with the following:

“Act, the Social Insurance Number or other forms of government identification of an applicant.”.

After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived.

It was agreed that clause 7 carry.

The chair asked whether clause 8 shall carry.

The Honourable Senator McPhedran moved that Bill C-22 be amended in clause 8, on page 3, by adding the following after line 19:

“

(1.1) Despite anything else in this Act or the regulations, within six months of the Minister entering into an agreement under subsection (1) that prevents any recovery of or deduction from any Canada disability benefit, the Minister must commence the payment of the benefit to eligible applicants who are resident in the province to which that agreement pertains.

(1.2) Nothing in this

section prevents the Minister from paying the benefit in a province where no such agreement has been reached.”.

After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

Bernard, Dasko, McPhedran, Moodie, Osler — [5]

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

Bovey, Burey, Cotter, Gold, Mégie, Omidvar, Petitclerc, Seidman — [8]

ABSTENTIONS

NIL

It was agreed that clause 8 carry.

At 5:41 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:46 p.m., the committee resumed.

The chair asked whether clause 9 shall carry.

The Honourable Senator Dasko moved that Bill C-22 be amended in clause 9, on page 3, by replacing lines 27 and 28 with the following:

“ (

c) cannot be recovered or retained by way of deduction, set-off or compensation, in whole or in part, under any Act of Parliament other than”.

After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

Dasko, McPhedran, Mégie, Moodie — [4]

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

Bernard, Bovey, Burey, Cotter, Gold, Omidvar, Osler, Petitclerc, Seidman — [9]

ABSTENTIONS

NIL

It was agreed that clause 9 stand postponed until the next meeting.

At 5:58 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Emily Barrette

Clerk of the Committee

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