THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
EVIDENCE
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 13, 2024
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met with videoconference this day at 11:31 a.m. [ET] to examine Bill C-58, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2012; and, in camera, to discuss observations to the report.
Senator Ratna Omidvar (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: Good morning, colleagues. My name is Ratna Omidvar. I’m a senator from Ontario and the Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
Please take note of the following preventive measures in place to protect the health and safety of all participants, including the interpreters.
If possible, please ensure that you are seated in a manner that increases the distance between microphones. Please only use a black approved earpiece. The former grey earpieces must no longer be used. Keep your earpiece away from all microphones at all times. When you are not using your earpiece, please place it face down on the sticker placed in front of you on the table for this purpose. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
Before we begin, I would like to ask my colleagues to introduce themselves, starting with the deputy chair of the committee, to my left.
Senator Cordy: My name is Jane Cordy. I’m the deputy chair of the committee, and I’m from Nova Scotia.
Senator Osler: Gigi Osler from Manitoba.
[Translation]
Senator Cormier: René Cormier from New Brunswick.
[English]
Senator Burey: Sharon Burey, senator for Ontario.
Senator Bernard: Wanda Thomas Bernard from Nova Scotia.
[Translation]
Senator Petitclerc: Chantal Petitclerc from Quebec.
Senator Brazeau: Patrick Brazeau from Quebec.
[English]
Senator Lankin: Frances Lankin, senator from Ontario.
Senator Moodie: Rosemary Moodie, Ontario.
[Translation]
Senator Carignan: Claude Carignan from Quebec.
[English]
The Chair: Today, we are proceeding to a clause-by-clause examination of Bill C-58, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2012.
I would like to welcome officials from Employment and Social Development Canada’s Labour Program who are with us in the room today to answer questions if needed: Zia Proulx, Director General, Strategic Policy, Analysis and Workplace Information Directorate; Muhammad Ali, Executive Director, Workplace and Labour Relations Policy Division; and Katherine Chan, Senior Policy Analyst, Workplace and Labour Relations Policy Division. Thank you for being with us today.
Before we begin, I would like to remind senators of a few points. If at any point, a senator is not clear where we are in the process, please ask for clarification. We want to ensure that we are all always on the same page, with the same understanding of where we are in the process. When more than one amendment is proposed to be moved in a clause, amendments should be proposed in order of the lines of a clause. If a senator is opposed to an entire clause, the proper process is not to move a motion to delete the entire clause, but rather to vote against the clause.
I remind senators that some amendments moved may have a consequential effect on other parts of the bill. It would be useful if a senator moving an amendment identified to the committee other clauses in this bill where this amendment would have an impact. Otherwise, it becomes extremely difficult for members of the committee to remain consistent in their decision-making process.
Next, if committee members ever have any questions about the process or about the propriety of anything occurring, they may raise a point of order. As chair, I will listen to the argument, decide when there has been sufficient discussion of a matter of order and make a ruling. The committee, however, is the ultimate master of its business within the bounds established by the Senate, and a ruling by the chair can be appealed to the full committee by asking whether the ruling shall be sustained. If ever there is uncertainty as to the results of a voice vote or a show of hands, the most effective route is to request a roll call. Finally, senators are aware that any tie vote negates the motion in question.
Are there any questions, colleagues, on any of the above? If not, we can now proceed.
Is it agreed that the committee proceed to a clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-58, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2012?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the title stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Is it agreed that we bundle the clauses in groups of five as we proceed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall clauses 1 to 5 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall clauses 6 to 10 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall clauses 11 to 15 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall clauses 16 to 18 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the title carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Shall the bill carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Does the committee wish to consider observations to the report?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you, officials, for your presence, but I must ask you and members of the public present to please leave the room.
(The committee continued in camera.)