Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) met to discuss a proposed law called "Build Canada Homes." This law aims to increase the number of affordable homes in Canada. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from housing co-operatives, tenant advocacy groups, and the residential construction industry. Tim Ross, from the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, emphasized the success of co-operative housing and recommended long-term funding for these projects. He also stressed the importance of Indigenous-led housing initiatives and rental assistance. Catherine Lussier, representing a tenant advocacy group, argued for the right to housing to be included in the proposed law and for a clearer definition of "affordability" based on tenant income. Richard Lyall, from the Residential Construction Council of Ontario, highlighted the challenges faced by the private sector in building homes, including taxes, fees, and lengthy approval processes. He suggested that the proposed law could help modernize the construction industry. Committee members questioned the witnesses on various aspects of the proposed law, including the need for a new federal housing agency, the definition of "affordable housing," and the role of the private sector. Some members expressed concern that the proposed law might not adequately address the needs of rural communities or those with the lowest incomes. The committee also discussed the importance of balancing market and non-market housing and the need for long-term, predictable funding for housing projects. Later in the meeting, the committee heard from David Wilkes (Building Industry and Land Development Association), Scott Andison (Ontario Home Builders' Association), and Sean Baird (Toronto Community Housing Corporation). These witnesses discussed the importance of government enabling (but not replacing) private sector construction, the need for more non-market housing, and the importance of predictable funding and reduced approval times. No specific decisions were made during the meeting, but the committee members gathered information and perspectives to inform their consideration of the proposed law. The committee will continue to study the proposed law and may propose amendments before it is passed.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met to discuss a proposed law called Bill C-20, which aims to establish Build Canada Homes. This new organization would focus on increasing the supply of affordable housing in Canada. Committee members debated the details of the proposed law, including its scope, targets, and how it would interact with existing housing programs. Several witnesses provided expert testimony. Alexi White from Maytree argued that Build Canada Homes should explicitly advance the right to housing and focus on building on government-owned land. Dr. Mike Moffatt from the Missing Middle Initiative raised concerns about the lack of clear goals and transparency in the proposed law. Suzanne Faiza from Tapestry Community Capital suggested that the law should explicitly include community bonds as eligible investments. During the meeting, committee members also discussed the definition of "affordable housing" and the need for consistent standards across different government programs. They debated the role of Build Canada Homes in addressing the housing crisis, particularly for low- and moderate-income families. The committee ultimately voted to pass the proposed law with some amendments, including extending bereavement leave for parents who lose a child. The committee agreed to hold a technical briefing to clarify the impact of the amendments before the proposed law is presented to the House of Commons.

The Human Resources Committee met to discuss two main topics. First, they heard from Minister Patty Hajdu and Minister Joël Lightbound about the modernization of the government's benefits delivery system, including the Cúram software used for Old Age Security (OAS). The ministers explained that the current system is outdated and costly to maintain, and that the new system will improve efficiency and reduce fraud. However, some committee members raised concerns about delays in OAS payments for some seniors and the rising costs of the modernization project. The ministers responded that the delays were due to missing information in paper applications and that the costs have increased due to the complexity of the project and evolving cybersecurity threats. Second, the committee discussed a proposed law to establish Build Canada Homes, a new Crown corporation focused on building affordable housing. Minister Gregor Robertson explained that this corporation would streamline the government's efforts to address the housing crisis and work with private sector and community partners to build more affordable homes faster. Committee members questioned the need for a new Crown corporation, with some suggesting that existing agencies could handle the work. Minister Robertson defended the new corporation, arguing that it would be more nimble and focused on delivering affordable housing. During the meeting, committee members requested additional information from the ministers, including data on call center wait times, a breakdown of OAS payment delays by province, and a list of contracts awarded as part of the benefits delivery modernization program. A Bloc Québécois member introduced a motion to compel the government to provide a wide range of documents related to the Benefits Delivery Modernization program, but debate on the motion was adjourned. The committee agreed to hold additional meetings on the proposed law to establish Build Canada Homes in April and set deadlines for submitting witness lists, briefs, and amendments to the proposed law.

The Canadian parliamentary committee HUMA met to discuss a proposed law to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code regarding the death of a child. The meeting featured emotional testimony from bereaved parents and experts in bereavement support. Witnesses shared their personal experiences with the challenges of navigating grief while dealing with bureaucratic processes and financial pressures. Briana Koop, a bereaved parent, shared her heartbreaking story of losing her son and the difficulties she faced in the aftermath. Gabriel Pelletier, a lawyer specializing in employment insurance, spoke in favor of the proposed law and suggested an amendment to extend benefits to parents receiving caregiver benefits for a critically ill child who passes away. Danyelle Kaluski, co-founder of the Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre, emphasized the trauma experienced by grieving parents and the need for compassionate support. Janie Lapointe Tremblay, executive director of Les Perséides perinatal bereavement support, highlighted the gaps in current support systems and the importance of recognizing perinatal grief. Committee members expressed their support for the proposed law and discussed potential amendments to broaden its scope. Garnett Genuis proposed a separate study on the possibility of continuing employment insurance parental leave in the event of the death of a parent. The committee agreed to conduct this study while proceeding with the current proposed law without amendments. The committee also discussed the need for better training for public servants and employers on how to support bereaved parents and families. The committee agreed to offer mental health support to the witnesses who appeared before the committee, as well as members of the committee staff. The committee set a date of April 13, 2026, for clause-by-clause consideration of the proposed law, with a deadline of April 9, 2026, for submitting any amendments.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met to discuss a proposed law concerning parental leave after the loss of a child. The committee heard from several witnesses who shared their personal experiences and professional insights on the matter. Lily Hamill shared the heartbreaking story of losing her infant daughter and the difficulties she faced navigating government paperwork and benefit repayments while grieving. Sophie Meunier, a professor, presented research highlighting the significant mental health impacts on parents following perinatal death and the importance of providing paid leave. Allison Venditti, an HR professional, emphasized the positive impact the proposed law would have on employers and employees, streamlining the process and allowing HR to focus on supporting grieving families. Committee members expressed their condolences and support for the proposed law, recognizing the need for compassionate and flexible leave options for grieving parents. Concerns were raised about the potential financial implications of the proposed law and the need for government support to ensure its passage. Witnesses emphasized the importance of destigmatizing pregnancy and infant loss and providing adequate resources and training for healthcare professionals and employers. Francine deMontigny, a professor, shared her personal experience with perinatal loss and highlighted the long-term mental and physical health consequences for parents and families. Megan Fockler, a registered nurse, discussed the importance of compassionate care and the need for a national approach to supporting grieving families. The committee discussed the need for flexibility in leave arrangements and the potential for a single-window reporting system to reduce the administrative burden on bereaved parents. The committee agreed to continue studying the proposed law at a future meeting.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met to discuss a proposed law that would amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code to provide benefits to parents who experience the death of a child. Several witnesses testified about their personal experiences with infant loss and the difficulties they faced navigating the current system. They emphasized the need for compassionate and timely support for grieving families. Nora Spinks, CEO of Work-Life Harmony Enterprises, spoke about the importance of fair and equitable public policy and how the proposed law would reduce barriers to EI benefits for grieving families. Carmen Wu shared her personal experience of navigating employment insurance after the stillbirth of her daughter, highlighting the emotional burden of having to repeatedly explain her loss to government staff. Nancy and Peter Slinn, directors of Metro Vancouver Empty Cradle Bereaved Parents Society, discussed the lack of support available to parents who experience stillbirth and the need for financial security during the healing process. Sarah and Lee Cormier from SIDS Calgary Society shared their decade-long fight for legislative change after the death of their daughter, Quinn, emphasizing the need for a more compassionate and empathetic approach to supporting grieving parents. Committee members questioned the witnesses about best practices for employers, additional steps governments could take to support bereaved parents, and the potential impact of the proposed law on families in Quebec. Some members expressed concerns about potential delays in passing the law and the need to ensure that all eligible families receive support. A motion was introduced to expand the scope of the proposed law to include cases where a parent dies during the benefit period, but this was met with some resistance due to concerns about delaying the bill's passage. The committee agreed to send a message to ministers Patty Hajdu and Joël Lightbound, requesting that they appear separately, rather than concurrently, to answer questions about the Cúram software. The meeting was adjourned without a decision on the motion to expand the scope of the proposed law.

The Human Resources Committee met to discuss a proposed law called Evan's Law (Bill C-222). This law aims to ease the burden on grieving parents who lose a child while on employment insurance (EI) parental leave. Currently, these parents must navigate complex administrative procedures and may lose benefits. The proposed law would allow them to continue receiving benefits without interruption. Terry Beech, the Member of Parliament sponsoring the proposed law, shared his personal connection to the issue and emphasized the importance of compassion. He explained that the proposed law would eliminate unnecessary paperwork and prevent the government from clawing back benefits from grieving families. Garnett Genuis, a Conservative MP, expressed support for the proposed law and suggested an amendment to extend similar benefits to families when a parent dies. Other committee members discussed the need for mental health support and wraparound services for grieving parents, especially in rural communities. The committee agreed to hold up to four meetings to gather testimony on the proposed law. An amendment was proposed to also cover the death of a parent, but there were concerns about delaying the proposed law. Ultimately, the committee voted to include food price inflation in a study on the national school food program. They also requested that the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement appear before the committee to answer questions about the Cúram software used for Old Age Security benefit claims.

The Human Resources Committee met to discuss proposed changes to laws and programs affecting different groups in Canada. The first part of the meeting focused on dental care and support for career colleges. The committee heard from representatives of dental hygienists and career colleges, who raised concerns about how the proposed changes could affect access to dental care and training opportunities. Ondina Love from the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association talked about the importance of dental hygienists in providing preventive care, especially in underserved areas. She highlighted the success of the Canadian Dental Care Plan but worried that changes to student grants could reduce the number of dental hygienists available. Michael Sangster from the National Association of Career Colleges argued that cutting grants for students in career colleges would hurt those seeking job-ready skills and limit their choices. He emphasized that career colleges help fill workforce needs and support students who may not fit traditional education paths. Committee members asked questions about the impact of these changes on students, access to care, and the workforce. Some members expressed concern that the proposed changes could make it harder for people to get the training they need for in-demand jobs. The second part of the meeting covered work-integrated learning and access to chiropractic care. Witnesses discussed the importance of hands-on learning experiences and the challenges of accessing chiropractic services in rural areas. Robert Henderson from BioTalent Canada spoke about the importance of work placements for students in the biotechnology sector. Ayla Azad from the Canadian Chiropractic Association discussed the limited number of chiropractic programs in Canada and the need for financial support for students studying abroad. Dana Stephenson from Riipen Networks Inc. highlighted the success of their work-integrated learning programs in connecting students with employers. The committee also dealt with some procedural matters, including a motion related to processing errors with the Curàm software and a discussion about a national school food program. Ultimately, the committee agreed to request information on the Curàm software issue but ran out of time to fully discuss the school food program.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) met to discuss parts of a proposed law, Bill C-15, focusing on the national school food program and student financial assistance. The first panel of speakers included Judith Barry from the Breakfast Club of Canada and Carolyn Webb from the Coalition for Healthy School Food, who spoke about the importance of the national school food program and recommended its adoption to ensure stable funding for students and families. They highlighted the program's benefits, such as increased family income, better education, and reduced healthcare costs. Dylan Kirk from the Council of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Schools of Ontario experienced technical difficulties and was moved to the second panel. During the second panel, Dylan Kirk, Bibi Wasiimah Joomun from the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, and Mary Wu from the Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine discussed concerns about changes to student grants. Kirk and Wu expressed worry that proposed budget measures would negatively impact students in private institutions, particularly those studying traditional Chinese medicine. They requested that the committee ensure continued financial support for all eligible students, regardless of the type of institution they attend. Joomun highlighted the financial struggles of students and advocated for the permanent expansion of student financial aid programs. Committee members debated the merits of the national school food program and the proposed changes to student financial assistance. A motion was introduced to study the implementation and long-term permanence of the national school food program, but debate on the motion was adjourned. Concerns were raised about the administrative burden of the school food program and the potential impact of grant cuts on students and private career colleges. The committee agreed to continue discussions on these issues in a closed session.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met to discuss issues related to proposed changes to federal programs and supports. The main focus was on a Bloc Québécois motion to invite ministers to discuss problems with the Cúram computer system affecting seniors' benefits. They also discussed a Conservative motion to study housing starts in relation to federal programs. Andréanne Larouche (Bloc Québécois) introduced a motion to have the Minister of Employment and Families and the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement appear before the committee to answer questions about the Cúram software and delays in seniors' benefits. She highlighted that many seniors in Quebec were experiencing delays and that the Cúram system's costs had significantly increased. Laila Goodridge (Conservative) shared a story of a senior in her riding experiencing delays in receiving Old Age Security payments and wanted to ensure that the Cúram system would not become another Phoenix pay centre debacle. Committee members debated amendments to both motions. Annie Koutrakis (Liberal) proposed an amendment to delay the ministers' appearance to mid-March, which was accepted. Caroline Desrochers (Liberal) initially proposed reducing the ministers' testimony time, but later withdrew the amendment. For the housing motion, Desrochers proposed amendments to reduce the number of meetings and request a government response, but these were not accepted. Ultimately, the committee agreed to invite the ministers to discuss the Cúram software issues and to undertake a study on housing starts. Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, appeared to discuss Budget 2025, focusing on affordability measures like child care, the national school food program, and the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. She also addressed questions about student grants, food inflation, and employment insurance improvements.

The House of Commons committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development met to discuss parts of a proposed law related to Build Canada Homes, a new agency focused on increasing the supply of affordable housing. Ana Bailão, the CEO of Build Canada Homes, explained how the proposed law would give the agency the power and money it needs to build more homes quickly. She said the agency is working with provinces, cities, and other groups to finance housing projects and use public lands for building. Janet Goulding from the Department of Housing also attended. During the meeting, committee members asked Ms. Bailão about the agency's progress and how it plans to address the housing crisis. Some members questioned the agency's spending and the number of homes built so far. They also asked about partnerships with Indigenous communities and how the agency will work with existing housing programs. Ms. Bailão explained that Build Canada Homes is just one part of the government's plan to increase housing and that it focuses on affordable housing projects. Other committee members focused on the need for housing in rural communities and how Build Canada Homes will work with smaller municipalities. Ms. Bailão said the agency recognizes that the needs of rural communities are different and that it will work with them to find solutions. She also said the agency is working to make the process of building homes faster and more efficient. The committee discussed how the $11.5 billion investment would be tracked and how the agency would be transparent. Several committee members brought up specific projects in their ridings, asking for the agency's support. Ms. Bailão said the agency is reviewing proposals and working to find ways to unlock projects and get shovels in the ground. The committee emphasized the importance of addressing the housing crisis and working together to find solutions.

The House of Commons committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development met to discuss parts of a proposed law that would implement the 2025 budget. A main focus was on housing and infrastructure. Committee members agreed to study specific sections of the proposed law related to housing and the Canada Infrastructure Bank. They also decided to invite several witnesses, including the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, the Minister of Jobs and Families, and the Auditor General, to speak at future meetings. The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Gregor Robertson, spoke about the government's plan to increase affordable housing through a new agency called Build Canada Homes. He said this agency would use Canadian materials and modern construction methods to build more homes and create jobs. He also discussed increasing the Canada Infrastructure Bank's capital to fund major projects, including housing, trade, and technology. During questioning, committee members raised concerns about the Canada Infrastructure Bank's investments in AI and digital infrastructure, and whether this shift had been properly approved by Parliament. They also discussed the need for more affordable housing, especially in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, and how to reduce development charges that make housing more expensive. Some members questioned whether the government's plans were enough to address the housing crisis and create enough affordable units, especially for young people and those in rural communities. Several committee members pressed the Minister on specific issues. A Conservative member, Leslyn Lewis, questioned the lack of parliamentary approval for the Infrastructure Bank's AI investments and the protections for workers displaced by AI. A Bloc Québécois member, Andréanne Larouche, asked about funding for housing in Quebec and for specific groups like seniors and the homeless. A Conservative member, Scott Aitchison, challenged the Minister on the effectiveness of the government's housing plans and the need to cut taxes on new homes. The committee agreed to continue its study of the proposed law and hear from additional witnesses in the coming weeks. The goal is to provide recommendations to the Finance Committee by the end of February.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) met to discuss the definition of "work" in the Canada Labour Code and the use of Section 107, which allows the government to intervene in labor disputes. Witnesses from various sectors, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Federally Regulated Employers - Transportation and Communications (FETCO), and the Union of Safety and Justice Employees (USJE), shared their perspectives. Pascal Chan from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce emphasized the importance of reliable supply chains and the negative impact of labor disruptions on Canada's economy and reputation. Daniel Safayeni and Christopher Pigott from FETCO discussed the need for a balanced framework that respects the right to strike while protecting the public interest in critical sectors. David Neufeld from USJE expressed concerns about the increasing use of Section 107, arguing that it undermines workers' rights to strike and shifts contract negotiations in favor of employers. The committee also heard from Dalia Gesualdi-Fecteau, a professor at the Université de Montréal, who focused on the definition of "work" and the importance of clarifying what constitutes working time. Wesley Lesosky, president of the airline division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), spoke about unpaid work in the airline industry and called for amendments to the Canada Labour Code to ensure that all hours worked are paid. Pedro Antunes, chief economist at the Conference Board of Canada, discussed the economic impacts of major work disruptions, highlighting the vulnerability of Canada's concentrated industries and the importance of reliable transportation networks. Committee members questioned the witnesses on various aspects of the issues. There was discussion about the potential for the overuse of Section 107 to undermine the collective bargaining process, and some committee members expressed concern that the government was not doing enough to protect trading. The committee also explored the economic damage that can result from labor disputes, particularly in critical sectors such as transportation. The witnesses were asked to provide additional information in writing to the committee clerk. The committee agreed to meet again to review reports.

The Human Resources Committee met to discuss housing and infrastructure, as well as the temporary foreign worker program. For the first hour, the committee heard from Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson about his mandate and priorities, including making housing more affordable, modernizing the construction industry, and investing in infrastructure. Minister Robertson highlighted the Build Canada Homes program, a $13 billion initiative to increase affordable housing, and the Build Communities Strong Fund, which will provide over $51 billion for infrastructure projects. Committee members questioned the Minister on benchmarks for success, the pace of addressing the housing crisis, and the allocation of funds. During the second hour, the committee focused on the impacts of the temporary foreign worker program on the labor market. Witnesses included Bénédicte Zé, who shared her personal experience of exploitation as a temporary worker, Doug Parton from Ironworkers Local 97, who raised concerns about wage suppression and safety, and Meggie Richard, a prefect from Quebec, who emphasized the program's importance for remote communities. Parton recommended union consultation before LMIA approvals and using collectively bargained wages as benchmarks. Richard requested flexible caps on foreign workers and a faster path to permanent residency. Committee members debated the program's effectiveness and fairness. Some expressed concerns about potential abuses and the impact on Canadian workers, while others highlighted the program's necessity for addressing labor shortages in certain regions and industries. Zé advocated for open work permits and pathways to permanent residency to protect workers' rights. The committee acknowledged the complexity of the issue and the need for tailored solutions that consider regional differences.

The Human Resources Committee met to discuss the temporary foreign worker program's impact on the job market. Garnett Genuis, a Conservative committee member, raised concerns that none of the 39 witnesses suggested by the Conservative Party were invited to speak, while witnesses suggested by the Liberal Party were. He felt this was unfair and didn't represent a balanced discussion. Genuis proposed a motion that the committee chair should consult with vice-chairs when choosing witnesses to ensure fairness among all parties and aim for five to six witness groups at each meeting. He argued that all parties should have their perspectives heard and that the witness selection should reflect the proportions of each party in the committee. Ultimately, Genuis made a motion to end the meeting early. Committee members voted, and the motion to adjourn passed, effectively ending the meeting.

The House of Commons committee on human resources and social development met to discuss the government's priorities and actions. Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, spoke about efforts to strengthen the economy, protect jobs, and help Canadians succeed. She highlighted programs like EI work-sharing to prevent layoffs, investments in job banks, and support for youth employment. She also emphasized the government's focus on affordable child care, the national school food program, and the Canada disability benefit. Committee members questioned the Minister on various topics. A Conservative member pressed for a specific date for the rollout of a promised benefit for adoptive and intended parents. There were also questions about fraudulent CERB claims by government employees, modernization of the job bank, and support for major projects and job creation. A Bloc Québécois member inquired about reforms to employment insurance and support for the forestry industry. Other topics raised included the rising cost of baby formula, student grants for career colleges, and the use of foreign labor on Canadian projects. There was also discussion about the Canada dental care plan, support for personal support workers, and the national school food program. The committee also discussed the government's use of section 107 to end strikes, with some members questioning whether it undermines fair bargaining. The meeting concluded with members seeking clarity on the government's position on pipeline projects and the impact of immigration on youth unemployment.