HUMA Committee Report

The Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met at 11:06 a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Judi Longfield, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Libby Davies, Raymonde Folco, Monique Guay, Dale Johnston, Judi Longfield, Gurbax Malhi, Joe McGuire, Carol Skelton, Diane St-Jacques and Alan Tonks.

Acting Members present: Norman Doyle for Greg Thompson and Carolyn Bennett for Tony Ianno.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Kevin Kerr, Julie Mackenzie and Bill Young, Research officers.

Witnesses: From the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency: Paul Burkholder, Director General, Strategy, Policy and Planning Directorate, Human Resources Branch; Christine Coffey, Director, Resourcing and Career Management Division, Human Resources Branch; Elaine Courtney, Chief, Employment Equity Section, Human Resources Branch. From the Department of Fisheries and Oceans: George Da Pont, Assistant Deputy Minister, Human Resources Sector; Yves Dupuis, Acting Director General, Human Resources Strategies Directorate.

Pursuant to its Order of Reference dated December 3, 2001 and to section 44 of the Employment Equity Act, the Committee resumed consideration of the statutory review of the Act (See minutes of Proceedings of December 11, 2001 — Meeting No. 44).

Carolyn Bennett presented the report of the Sub-Committee on the Status of Persons with Disability on the subject of the Disability Tax Credit.

Paul Burkholder and George Da Pont made opening statements.

On motion by Carolyn Bennett, it was agreed, — That the draft report of the Sub-Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Getting it Right for Canadians: The Disability Tax Credit be adopted as the Seventh Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

It was agreed, — That the clerk be authorized to make such editorial and typographical changes as necessary without changing the substance of the report;

It was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to present the report to the House;

It was agreed, — That the Committee print 250 copies of its report in a tumble bilingual format and that the Committee be authorized to produce it in an alternative format if warranted;

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the government provide a comprehensive response to this report;

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)(a), the Committee authorizes the printing of the supplementary opinion(s) as an appendix to this report immediately after the signature of the Chair; that the supplementary opinion(s) be limited to not more than 1 page; (font = 12; line spacing = 1.5) and that the supplementary opinion(s) be delivered in electronic format in both official languages to the clerk of the Committee not later than 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2002.

Paul Burkholder, George Da Pont and other witnesses answered questions.

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