THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, May 13, 2021
(6)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of March 30, 2021, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day by videoconference at 2:02 p.m. [ET], the chair, the Honourable Chantal Petitclerc, presiding. This meeting is considered to have taken place in the parliamentary precinct.

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Black (Ontario), Bovey, Dasko, Forest-Niesing, Frum, Kutcher, Manning, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar and Petitclerc (11).

Other senator present by videoconference: The Honourable Senator Moncion (1).

Participating in the meeting: Max Hollins, François Michaud and Sébatien Payet, Procedural Clerks, and Lori Meldrum, Administrative Assistant, Committees Directorate; Laura Blackmore and Laura Munn-Rivard, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the committee continued its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of Part 4 of Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19, 2021 and other measures. (Topic: Division 32)

WITNESS (by videoconference):

Employment and Social Development Canada:

Kristen Underwood, Director General, Income Security and Social Development Branch.

The chair made statement.

Ms. Underwood made a statement and answered questions.

At 2:45 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 2:58 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the committee continued its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of Part 4 of Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19, 2021 and other measures. (Topic: Division 33)

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat:

Tolga Yalkin, Assistant Deputy Minister, Workplace Policies and Services Sector;

Selena Beattie, Executive Director, People Management and Community Engagement, Workplace Policies and Services Sector.

Public Service Commission of Canada:

Patrick Borbey, President;

Gaveen Cadotte, Vice President, Policy and Communications;

Robert McSheffrey, Director General, Personnel Psychology Centre;

Sharon Messerschmidt, Director General, Audit;

Michael Morin, Director General, Policy and Strategic Directions.

Mr. Yalkin and Mr. Borbey made statements and, together with Mr. Morin, answered questions.

At 4:07 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:04 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the committee continued its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of Part 4 of Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19, 2021 and other measures. (Topic: Division 32)

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Canadian Association of Retired Persons:

Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer.

Réseau FADOQ:

Gisèle Tassé-Goodman, President.

Mr. VanGorder and Ms. Tassé-Goodman made statements and answered questions.

At 5:57 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:59 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the committee continued its examination of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of Part 4 of Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19, 2021 and other measures. (Topic: Division 33)

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada:

Debi Daviau, President;

Isabelle Roy, General Counsel and Chief of Labour Relations.

Federal Black Employee Caucus:

Jean-Sibert Lapolice, Strategic Engagement and Partnership Lead.

Public Service Alliance of Canada:

Sharon DeSousa, National Executive Vice-President;

Seema Lamba, Human Rights Officer.

Ms. Daviau, Mr. Lapolice and Ms. DeSousa made statements and, together with Ms. Roy and Ms. Lamba, answered questions.

At 7:09 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Daniel Charbonneau

Clerk of the Committee