THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 31, 2023
(58)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:02 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Ratna Omidvar, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Burey, Cordy, Dasko, Francis, Kutcher, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar, Osler, Petitclerc and Seidman (11).

Participating in the meeting: Laura Blackmore, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 27, 2023, the committee continued its consideration of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 25, 27, 28, 29, 35 and 38 of Part 4 of Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023. (Topic: Divisions 13, 14, 15, 35 and 38)

WITNESSES:

Employment and Social Development Canada:

Neal Leblanc, Director, Canada Pension Plan Policy and Legislation, Income Security and Social Development Branch;

Stephanie Brodeur, Manager Partnerships, Integrity Services Branch;

Benoit Cadieux, Director, Policy Analysis and Initiatives, Skills and Employment Branch;

Mona El Bahar, Acting Director General, Individual Payments and On-Demand Services, Benefits and Integrated Services Branch, Service Canada (by videoconference);

Angelina Barrados, Executive Director, Employment Insurance Strategic Policy, Skills and Employment Branch;

Anamika Mona Nandy, Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch (by videoconference);

Robert Lalonde, Director, Individual Payments and On-Demand Services, Benefits and Integrated Services Branch, Service Canada.

Canada Employment Insurance Commission:

Nancy Healey, Commissioner for Employers (by videoconference);

Pierre Laliberté, Commissioner for Workers (by videoconference).

Social Security Tribunal of Canada:

Shirley Netten, Interim Chairperson.

Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada:

Michelle Normandeau, General Counsel and Director, Legal Services, Secretariat to the Social Security Tribunal of Canada.

Canada Revenue Agency:

Maxime Guénette, Assistant Commissioner, Service, Innovation and Integration Branch.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce:

Michael Harvey, Vice-President, Policy and International;

Diana Palmerin-Velasco, Senior Director, Future of Work.

Canadian Labour Congress:

Lily Chang, Secretary-Treasurer (by videoconference).

Neal Leblanc, Stephanie Brodeur, Angelina Barrados, Benoit Cadieux and Mona El Bahar each made a statement and, together with Robert Lalonde, Nancy Healey and Pierre Laliberté, answered questions.

At 4:47 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:52 p.m., the committee resumed.

Diana Palmerin-Velasco and Lily Chang each made a statement and, together with Michael Harvey, answered questions.

At 5:17 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:18 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 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.

At 5:39 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Emily Barrette

Clerk of the Committee