FEWO Committee Meeting

    Honourable members of the committee, I see a quorum.

    I must inform members that the clerk of the committee can only receive motions for the election of the chair. The clerk cannot receive other types of motions, cannot entertain points of order nor participate in debate.

    We can now proceed to the election of the chair. Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the chair must be a member of the government party.

    I am ready to receive motions for the chair.

    I would like to nominate Hélène LeBlanc as our chair.

    Thank you very much.

    It has been moved by Mrs. Truppe that Ms. LeBlanc be elected as chair of the committee.

    Are there any further motions?

    Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

    Some hon. members: Agreed.

    (Motion agreed to)

    The Clerk: I declare Ms. LeBlanc duly elected chair of the committee.

    Some hon. members: Hear, hear!

    The Clerk: Before inviting Ms. LeBlanc to take the chair, if the committee wishes, we will now proceed to the election of the vice-chairs.

    Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the first vice-chair must be a member of the government party.

    I am now prepared to receive motions for the first vice-chair.

    I'd like to nominate Ms. Tilly O'Neill Gordon.

    It has been moved by Ms. Ashton that Ms. O'Neill Gordon be elected as first vice-chair of the committee.

    Are there any further motions?

    Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

    (Motion agreed to)

    The Clerk: I declare Ms. O'Neill Gordon duly elected as first vice-chair of the committee.

    Some hon. members: Hear, hear!

    The Clerk: Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the second vice-chair must be a member of an opposition party other than the official opposition.

    I am now prepared to receive motions for the second vice-chair.

    I nominate Kirsty Duncan.

    It has been moved by Ms. Bateman that Ms. Duncan be elected as second vice-chair of the committee.

    Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt the motion?

    (Motion agreed to)

    The Clerk: I declare Ms. Duncan duly elected as second vice-chair of the committee.

    Some hon. members: Hear, hear!

    The Clerk: I now invite Ms. LeBlanc to take the chair.

    I would just like to say a few words. First, I would like to thank you for your trust and for electing me chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

    I would like to congratulate the first vice-chair, Ms. O'Neill Gordon, and the second vice-chair, Ms. Duncan.

    Congratulations to you both.

    I have to say that I consider committee work to be very important. I discovered this place when I was elected. This is a special place in Parliament. It is a place where members of all parties work together towards a common goal. This is a role that I consider very important. The goal of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women is to study the status of women, of course, but also to go further. We want to find concrete solutions that will make the equality of men and women a reality. We want to find concrete solutions that will bring an end to violence against women. We also want to find concrete solutions that will improve economic conditions for women. In a word, we are seeking to create favourable conditions for women and girls so that women and girls can reach their full potential in Canada

    I feel that, with that outlook, we will continue to welcome witness from civil society here. witnesses who will be able to help us as parliamentarians make enlightened decisions that will take us to our common goal of improving the status of women in Canada.

    I would just like to summarize what I have said without repeating it.

     I think you have understood the importance I feel for committee work and how I discovered when I was elected what a great place it is, because all of us together can try to find solutions to common problems. The issues that we are addressing here at this committee, but also at every committee, are so important that they sometimes go beyond what we may feel as a politician and member of a party and we are striving together to attain those objectives.

    It is also a place where we welcome the outside world a little bit, the world that is outside the bubble we call Parliament Hill. People come and give testimony, expert testimony, about the different studies that we may undertake. We may also hear from civil servants who will enlighten us sometimes about a complex budget issue and so forth. I think it's important for us to show them respect by listening with our ears as they come here to enlighten us and help us do our work as parliamentarians.

    I thank you very much for your attention. I'm sure we're going to be a great team working together.

    I would just like to congratulate you from our Conservative side. We're all looking forward to working with you. For those who don't know, she's also my neighbour on the fifth floor. We are looking forward to working with you.

    Since that was the only order of business, I would like to make a motion to adjourn.

    Thank you very much.

    The meeting is adjourned.