THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, November 9, 2023
(76)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 11:31 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the deputy chair, the Honourable Jane Cordy, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Burey, Cardozo, Cordy, Cormier, Dasko, Gold, P.C., McPhedran, Mégie, Moodie, Osler, Petitclerc and Seidman (12).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Moncion (1).
Participating in the meeting: Antoine Dedewanou, Analyst, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, September 28, 2023, the committee continued its study of Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada.
WITNESSES:
Employment and Social Development Canada:
Michelle Lattimore, Director General, Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care (by videoconference);
Cheri Reddin, Director General, Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care.
The committee resumed clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-35.
The deputy chair asked whether clause 8 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Cormier moved that Bill C-35 be amended in clause 8, on page 6, by replacing lines 13 to 20 with the following:
“8 (1) The Government of Canada commits to maintaining long-term funding for early learning and child care programs and services, including early learning and child care programs and services for Indigenous peoples and for official language minority communities.
(2) The funding must be provided primarily through agreements with the provincial governments and Indigenous governing bodies and other Indigenous entities that represent the interests of an Indigenous group and its members.”.
Michelle Lattimore and Cheri Reddin answered questions from time to time.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Cormier, Mégie, Petitclerc, Seidman — [4]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Burey, Cardozo, Cordy, Dasko, Gold, McPhedran, Moodie — [7]
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senator
Osler — [1]
It was agreed that clause 8 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry.
It was agreed that clause 12 carry.
It was agreed that clause 13 carry.
It was agreed that clause 14 carry.
The deputy chair asked whether clause 14.1 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Mégie moved that Bill C-35 be amended in clause 14.1, on page 8, by replacing line 15 with the following:
“14.1 On request of the Council, the Minister must pro-”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on division.
It was agreed that clause 14.1 carry.
It was agreed that clause 15 carry.
It was agreed that clause 16 carry.
It was agreed that clause 17 carry.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry.
It was agreed that the preamble carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry.
At 12:33 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:35 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft report.
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.
It was agreed that observations be appended to the committee's report.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the observations being appended to the report, in both official languages, taking into consideration the changes discussed in committee, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill C-35, without amendment and with observations to the Senate.
At 1:06 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Emily Barrette
Clerk of the Committee