THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 26, 2021
(8)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of March 30, 2021, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met by videoconference this day at 4 p.m. [ET], the chair, the Honourable Chantal Petitclerc, presiding. This meeting is considered to have taken place in the parliamentary precinct.

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Black (Ontario), Bovey, Dasko, Forest-Niesing, Frum, Kutcher, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar and Petitclerc (10).

Other senator present by videoconference: The Honourable Senator Moncion (1).

Participating in the meeting: François Michaud, Procedural Clerk, Lori Meldrum and Jamey Irwin, Administrative Assistants, Committees Directorate; Laura Blackmore and Laura Munn-Rivard, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the committee began its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of Part 4 of Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19, 2021 and other measures.

APPEARING (by videoconference):

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion.

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Employment and Social Development Canada:

Karen Hall, Director General, Strategic and Service Policy Branch;

Elizabeth Allen, Director, Strategic and Service Policy Branch.

Child Care Now:

Morna Ballantyne, Executive Director.

Alexander Economic Views and Deloitte Canada:

Craig Alexander, Chief Economist and Executive Advisor.

As an individual:

Ken Boessenkool, J.W. McConnell Professor of Practice, Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Hall made a statement and answered questions.

At 5 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:03 p.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Ballantyne made a statement.

At 5:05 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:08 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Alexander, Mr. Boessenkool and Ms. Ballantyne made statements and answered questions.

At 6:06 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the committee began its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of Part 4 of Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19, 2021 and other measures.

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Employment and Social Development Canada:

Graham Flack, Deputy Minister;

Atiq Rahman, Assistant Deputy Minister, Learning Branch;

Elisha Ram, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch;

Karen Robertson, Chief Financial Officer;

Cliff C. Groen, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Benefits and Integrated Services Branch, Service Canada.

The minister made a statement and, together with Mr. Flack, answered questions.

At 8 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Daniel Charbonneau

Clerk of the Committee