MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1995
(Meeting No. 79)

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The Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons met at 11:11 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chairman, Rey D. Pagtakhan, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Warren Allmand, Maurice Bernier, John Maloney, Ian McClelland, Glen McKinnon, Rey D. Pagtakhan and Andy Scott.

Acting Member present: Jean Augustine for Marlene Catterall.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Bill Young, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the Department of Human Resources Development Canada: Ian Green, Assistant Deputy Minister, Human Resources Investment Branch; Bruce Clark, Executive Director, Status of Disabled Persons Secretariat. From Industry Canada: Michael Binder, Assistant Deputy Minister, Spectrum, Information Technology and Telecommunications. From National Transportation Agency: Gavin Currie, Director General, Air and Accessible Transportation Branch.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3), the Committee resumed consideration of the National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (See Minutes of Proceedings dated Thursday, June 15, 1995, Issue No. 48).

The witnesses Ian Green, Gavin Currie and Michael Binder made opening statements and with the other witness answered questions.

At 12:41 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1995
(Meeting No. 80)

The Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons met in camera at 3:37 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chairman, Rey D. Pagtakhan, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Warren Allmand, Maurice Bernier, John Maloney, Ian McClelland, Glen McKinnon, Rey D. Pagtakhan and Andy Scott.

Acting Member present: Gordon Kirkby for Marlene Catterall.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Bill Young, Research Officer.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3), the Committee resumed consideration of the National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (See Minutes of Proceedings dated Thursday, June 15, 1995, Issue No. 48).

At 5:19 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1995
(Meeting No. 81)

The Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons met at 11:07 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chairman, Rey D. Pagtakhan, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Warren Allmand, John Maloney, Ian McClelland, Rey D. Pagtakhan and Andy Scott.

Acting Member present: Dan McTeague for Marlene Catterall.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Bill Young, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the Nova Scotia Disabled Persons Commission: Dr. Joan Cummings, Chairperson; Gail Sampson, Assistant to Dr. Cummings. From the Alberta Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities: Gary McPherson, Chair. From the New Brunswick Premier's Council on the Status of Disabled Persons: Randy Dickinson, Executive Director.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3), the Committee resumed consideration of the National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (See Minutes of Proceedings dated Thursday, June 15, 1995, Issue No. 48).

The witnesses made opening statements and answered questions.

At 11:17 o'clock a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:32 o'clock a.m., the sitting resumed.

At 1:19 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1995
(Meeting No. 82)

The Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons met in camera at 11:35 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 307, West Block, the Chairman, Rey D. Pagtakhan, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Warren Allmand, Ivan Grose, John Maloney, Réal Ménard, Ian McClelland, Rey D. Pagtakhan and Andy Scott.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Susan Alter and Bill Young, Research Officers.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3), the Committee proceeded to consider its future business.

Warren Allmand gave notice of the following motion.

That the Committee invite Max Yalden, the Commissioner for Human Rights to report on the status of human rights in Canada and to suggest plans of action to correct any inadequacy in the law and administration.

Réal Ménard gave notice of the following motion.

That the Committee invite the Minister of Justice to report on the Government's plans and timetable for amendments to the Canada Human Rights Act.

On motion of Andy Scott, it was agreed, - That the Committee recommend that the Standing Orders be amended, in the English version only, to change the name of the Committee to "Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Persons with Disabilities".

At 12:28 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1995
(Meeting No. 83)

The Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons met in camera at 11:04 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chairman, Rey D. Pagtakhan, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Warren Allmand, Ivan Grose, John Maloney, RéalMénard, Ian McClelland, Glen McKinnon, Rey D. Pagtakhan and Andy Scott.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Bill Young, Research Officer.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3), the Committee resumed consideration of the National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (See Minutes of Proceedings dated Thursday, June 15, 1995, Issue No. 48).

The Committee proceeded to study its draft report.

At 1:08 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1995
(Meeting No. 84)

The Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons met in camera at 11:07 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 701, La Promenade, the Chairman, Rey D. Pagtakhan, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Warren Allmand, Maurice Bernier, Ivan Grose, JohnMaloney, Ian McClelland, Glen McKinnon, Rey D. Pagtakhan and Andy Scott.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Bill Young, Research Officer.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3), the Committee resumed consideration of the National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (See Minutes of Proceedings dated Thursday, June 15, 1995, Issue No. 48).

It was agreed, - That the Chair, in consultation with the research staff, be given the authority to make stylistic, grammatical and typographical changes to the report which do not affect the substance.

It was agreed, - That the report, as amended, be adopted with the provision that the Bloc Québecois be permitted to add dissenting opinions.

It was agreed, - That, in conformity with Standing Order 109, the Government be requested to table a comprehensive response to the report within 150 days of its presentation.

It was agreed, - That the Chair present the report to the House.

It was agreed, - That 1000 copies of the report on the National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities be printed.

It was agreed, - That the Chair select a title for the report after consultation with members of the Committee.

At 12:51 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.