THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, December 7, 2023
(82)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 11:35 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Ratna Omidvar, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bellemare, Cordy, Cormier, McPhedran, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar, Osler, Petitclerc and Seidman (10).
Participating in the meeting: Antoine Dedewanou, Analyst, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the committee continued its study of Bill S-244, An Act to amend the Department of Employment and Social Development Act and the Employment Insurance Act (Employment Insurance Council).
WITNESS:
Employment and Social Development Canada:
Mona Nandy, Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-244.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that the preamble stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
The chair asked whether clause 4 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved that Bill S-244 be amended in clause 4, on page 5, by adding the following after line 10:
“(10) The Council must hold at least three meetings every year.
(11) The Commission must submit an annual report setting out the Council’s main activities and its results to the Minister, who must table it in Parliament. The report must be submitted to the Council for approval before it is published.”.
Mona Nandy answered questions from time to time.
At 12:13 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:31 p.m., the committee resumed.
After debate, with leave, the amendment was withdrawn.
The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved that Bill S-244 be amended in clause 4, on page 4, by adding the following after line 37:
“(6.1) The Council must hold at least three meetings every year.”.
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 4, as amended, carry.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry.
It was agreed that clause 6 carry.
It was agreed that the preamble carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry, as amended.
It was agreed that the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel be authorized to make necessary technical, grammatical, or other required non-substantive changes as a result of the amendment adopted by the committee, including updating cross-references and renumbering of provisions.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill S-244, with amendment, to the Senate.
At 12:35 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12:36 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).
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 audio recording 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 audio recording 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.
At 12:43 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Emily Barrette
Clerk of the Committee