THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, April 27, 2023
(51)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 11:01 a.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Ratna Omidvar, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Bernard, Bovey, Burey, Dasko, Kutcher, Lankin, P.C., McPhedran, Omidvar, Osler, Petitclerc and Seidman (12).

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

Participating in the meeting: Laura Blackmore and Sarah Dodsworth, analysts, 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.

WITNESSES:

Daily Bread Food Bank:

Neil Hetherington, Chief Executive Officer.

ARCH Disability Law Centre:

Robert Lattanzio, Executive Director.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance:

David Lepofsky, Chair.

As individuals:

Steven Muller, Vice-President of Litigation, Share Lawyers;

Hart Schwartz, Adjunct Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University;

Vince Calderhead, Lawyer, Pink Larkin;

Michael J. Prince, Professor of Social Policy, Faculty of Human and Social Development, University of Victoria (by videoconference).

Steven Muller, Hart Schwartz and Neil Hetherington each made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:58 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:03 p.m., the committee resumed.

Vince Calderhead and Robert Lattanzio each made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:01 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 1:06 p.m., the committee resumed.

David Lepofsky and Michael J. Prince each made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:56 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Emily Barrette

Clerk of the Committee