THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 30, 2024
(121)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:15 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Ratna Omidvar, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bernard, Boudreau, Burey, Cordy, Cormier, Mégie, Omidvar, Osler, Petitclerc and Seidman (10).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Youance (1).

Participating in the meeting: Laura Blackmore and Diana Ambrozas, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, the committee continued its consideration of Bill C-284, An Act to establish a national strategy for eye care.

WITNESSES:

Canadian Association of Optometrists:

Dr. Martin Spiro, President;

François Couillard, Chief Executive Officer.

Canadian Ophthalmological Society:

Dr. Nina Ahuja, Chair, Council on Advocacy, Board of Directors;

Elizabeth Fowler, Chief Executive Officer.

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada:

Jennifer Urosevic, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Indigenous Children Eye Examination:

Dr. Kourosh Sabri, Founder and Director.

Martin Spiro and Nina Ahuja each made a statement and, together with François Couillard, answered questions.

At 5:15 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:20 p.m., the committee resumed.

Jennifer Urosevic and Kourosh Sabri each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Emily Barrette

Clerk of the Committee