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Standing Committee on the Status of Women
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EVIDENCE
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
[Recorded by Electronic Apparatus]
[Translation]
Good afternoon, Madam Chair.
I would like to move a motion before we begin. This motion reads as follows:
That the Committee invite the Honourable Kellie Leitch, Minister for Status of Women, to appear before the Standing Committee on the Status of Women on the Supplementary Estimates (B) before December 3, 2013 for two hours to discuss plans and priorities for Status of Women Canada and that this session be televised.
If I may, I would like to explain something.
[English]
First off, it would be really important for us as a committee to welcome the new Minister of Status of Women to share with us her presentation on the supplementary estimates (B). This would be particularly timely, based not just on the timing of the supplementary estimates, but also on the fact that she is a new minister with some very interesting ideas that we've already heard presented.
I also want to add that unfortunately, we are one of the committees that sees our minister the least. We only saw the previous minister once since 2011 to speak on general Status of Women ministry issues. Of course, we did hear her speak on Bill S-2, but as we know, that was very specific to legislation, and her presentation was also tied in to the presentation of the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs.
I think it's imperative for our committee to hear from our minister, to support the initiatives that we believe are worthwhile, and of course in the context of this motion, to also gain an in-depth understanding from her side on the supplementary estimates that guide the work of the Status of Women ministry.
Obviously, we're asking for this to take place before December 3. We realize that this is a tight timeline, but given that she is the Minister of Status of Women and we are the committee on the status of women, we believe that a priority ought to be made. We'd certainly appreciate immensely her visit and presentation to the committee.
[Translation]
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I have an amendment to the motion, that the committee invite the Honourable Kellie Leitch, Minister of Status of Women, at her earliest convenience to appear before the Standing Committee on the Status of Women on the supplementary estimates (B) for up to one hour, followed by officials in the second hour, and that this session be televised, if possible.
[Translation]
[English]
We would support everything in that motion, except for the reference to “earliest convenience”. Unfortunately in this committee we've seen that phrase give an extensive window and one that leads to receiving the minister only once to speak on the ministry.
We believe a timeline that is also reflective of the timeliness of the supplementary estimates is essential. I believe that the minister would also appreciate a clear directive from us, and an indication that this is a very important presentation, and we believe it should happen sooner than later.
[Translation]
For your information, I think that we have until December 5 to complete the report on supplementary estimates.
Ms. Truppe, go ahead.
[English]
We can put December 5 in there if that's the deadline anyway. That's fine. Either way, it's going to be at her earliest convenience anyway, but if we need a deadline, that's fine. I'm okay with that. It would read:
That the Committee invite the Honourable Kellie Leitch, Minister for Status of Women, to appear before the Standing Committee on the Status of Women on the Supplementary Estimates (B) by December 5, 2013, for up to one hour, followed by officials in the second hour, and that this session be televised if possible.
[Translation]
Are the members of the committee ready to vote on the amendment?
[English]
It would be, just for clarification, before December 5 instead of December 3, as mentioned in the original motion.
Sure. What is the fifth? That's mid-week anyway, isn't it? Yes, I think it's the Thursday or something, so let's just leave it as December 5, then, if that's the cutoff.
[Translation]
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Did I understand correctly that the minister will appear before the committee on December 5 or before that date?
[English]
[Translation]
[English]
[Translation]
I'm sorry.
[English]
It's just to be more precise, okay? I asked for a vote on the amendment, but actually it's on the motion as amended. So we are all clear on that. Excellent. Thank you very much.
(Motion as amended agreed to)
The Chair: Then I will ask the clerk to invite the minister as is called for in the motion.
Now we will go to the report of the subcommittee. You all have the first report of the subcommittee.
Sorry, Madam Chair, but we have to go in camera for the subcommittee. It's business of the committee. I need to move to go in camera. Usually we go in camera on subcommittee business.
[Translation]
[English]
Chair, I have a point of order. I don't know if anyone saw my hand. I did want to move some motions prior to going into the subcommittee.
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