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

The committee discussed how federal programs affect the start of new housing construction in Canada. The main focus was on understanding housing trends and the roles of different government organizations in building more homes. Coleen Volk, President and CEO of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), explained that CMHC helps market housing (where most Canadians live) by offering financing like mortgage loan insurance. She emphasized that just counting "housing starts" (when construction begins) isn't enough. Mathieu Laberge, CMHC's Chief Economist, added that building permits are also important because they show how builders are feeling about future projects, even before construction starts. CMHC is working to collect more data, like the time it takes from getting a permit to actually starting construction, to get a clearer picture. Committee members asked about the new organization, Build Canada Homes, which focuses on affordable housing. Ms. Volk clarified that this new group will concentrate on deeply affordable housing, while CMHC will continue to support market housing. She assured that both organizations will work closely together on projects that combine different types of housing. Concerns were raised about whether Build Canada Homes has clear goals and enough funding, and how builders will know which agency to approach. Mr. Laberge also highlighted that high development charges (fees cities charge for new construction) and complicated rules can significantly increase housing costs and slow down building, especially in big cities like Toronto and Vancouver. He noted that while housing starts are currently strong due to past positive sentiment, future construction might slow down because builders are less confident now. The committee did not make any specific decisions but will continue its study on housing.

This committee meeting focused on understanding why there aren't enough new homes being built in Canada, especially in relation to federal programs. Committee members heard from experts in the housing development and construction industries about the challenges and potential solutions to speed up home construction across the country. Key speakers included Jennifer Keesmaat from The Keesmaat Group and Mike Collins-Williams from the West End Home Builders' Association. Ms. Keesmaat highlighted that building homes takes a very long time, often a decade from start to finish, and that "housing starts" only capture one moment in this long process. She stressed the need for stable government housing programs and clear, consistent policies, as constant changes make it hard for developers to plan and invest. Mr. Collins-Williams emphasized that if people can't afford to buy homes, builders can't build them. He pointed out that high taxes, fees, and long approval times significantly increase the cost of new homes, making them unaffordable for many Canadians. Both experts agreed that housing starts are a "lagging indicator," meaning they reflect past investment decisions rather than the current health of the housing market. Later, Isabelle Demers and David Goulet from the Association des professionnels de la construction et de l'habitation du Québec (APCHQ), and Richard Lyall from the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) also spoke. They reinforced that Canada is far from its housing targets, with starts actually decreasing. They discussed how complex regulations, high development charges, and a lack of coordination between federal, provincial, and municipal governments are major roadblocks. Mr. Lyall specifically mentioned that government-imposed costs can add up to $200,000 to a new home in the Greater Toronto Area. The committee discussed several next steps and solutions. These included making federal housing programs more stable and predictable, reforming the mortgage stress test, and making the GST relief on new housing permanent. There was also a strong call for better alignment and collaboration between all levels of government to reduce red tape, streamline approval processes, and ensure that infrastructure funding is tied to development charge reform. The experts also suggested modernizing how housing starts are measured and giving the new "Build Canada Homes" initiative clear goals and accountability to ensure it delivers actual homes.

This committee meeting focused on the growing problem of homelessness in Canada, especially in smaller communities and rural areas. Committee members heard from several organizations working directly with people experiencing homelessness, discussing the causes, current challenges, and potential solutions. Key speakers included Pierre Rousseau and Frédérique Favreau from La Halte du Coin, a shelter in Quebec. They highlighted a significant increase in people needing shelter, with many new faces, including seniors and young people, often due to rising living costs and evictions. They stressed the need for more predictable and flexible funding for programs like Reaching Home, suggesting it become a recurring program rather than project-based, to allow organizations to plan better and avoid last-minute spending. Michael Lethby from Raft, a youth organization in Niagara, shared a different perspective. He explained that simply opening more shelters can worsen the problem by creating a cycle of homelessness. Raft's successful Youth Reconnect program focuses on preventing homelessness by identifying at-risk students and supporting them to stay housed within their communities and connected to their natural support systems. He emphasized that homelessness is often caused by broken relationships and social exclusion, not just a lack of housing. Ryan Donais, founder of Tiny Tiny Homes, shared his personal experience with homelessness and advocated for transitional and supportive housing, especially for vulnerable groups like youth leaving foster care. He argued that housing is the foundation for recovery from addiction and mental health issues, and that it's often cheaper to house people than to keep them in emergency systems. Maxime Rainville from Corporation de développement communautaire de Brome-Missisquoi and Cédric Champagne from Entrée chez soi Brome-Missisquoi discussed the unique challenges of homelessness in rural areas, including a lack of services and the need for more direct funding to regional communities. They also highlighted the administrative hurdles caused by overlapping government rules. The committee heard that current funding models are often fragmented and too focused on crisis response rather than prevention and long-term stability. Witnesses recommended increasing funding for prevention programs, making federal funding more flexible and predictable, and investing in supportive housing that includes mental health and addiction services. They also called for better coordination between different levels of government and departments to create a more integrated approach to addressing homelessness.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met to discuss the modernization of benefits delivery. Cliff Groen, Associate Deputy Minister, and Brian Hickey, Assistant Deputy Minister, both from Service Canada, explained how they are updating old computer systems that handle important benefits like Old Age Security (OAS), Employment Insurance (EI), and Canada Pension Plan (CPP). They said the old systems were at risk of failing, which could stop payments to millions of Canadians. Groen mentioned that the new OAS system is working and has already processed billions of dollars in payments. They are now working on updating the EI system and call centers. Groen clarified that the total cost for the entire project is estimated at $6.6 billion through 2031, which includes upgrading OAS, EI, CPP and call centers, and also includes money set aside for unexpected issues. He also noted that a recent $176 million investment is to help with increased OAS workload and system maintenance, not part of the $6.6 billion modernization budget. During the meeting, committee members asked about problems with the new systems. Eric Lefebvre, a Conservative member, asked how many employees report to Groen and requested an organizational chart. He also raised concerns about employees finding the new system hard to use. Groen responded that employees initially had trouble adjusting to the new system, but it is a big change from the 60-year-old system they were used to. He denied blaming the employees. Lefebvre also claimed that 70,000 seniors have not received their pension and that the system is not working, which Groen denied. A motion was made to order the production of documents related to the modernization, but it was defeated. Kristina Tesser Derksen, a Liberal member, discussed the complexities of estimating costs for such a large project. Groen explained that the initial cost estimates were made before they fully understood the old systems and that cybersecurity costs have increased since then. Andréanne Larouche, a Bloc Québécois member, raised concerns about delays in benefits and the impact on vulnerable Canadians. Groen acknowledged that some seniors have experienced delays but said the new system is not the cause. Anna Roberts, a Conservative member, asked about seniors who haven't received their OAS payments and the amount of overtime paid to staff. Groen said that overtime is offered but not required. Natilien Joseph, a Liberal member, suggested that some delays are caused by incomplete application forms and emphasized the importance of protecting seniors. Laila Goodridge, a Conservative member, shared her experience of long wait times at a Service Canada office and asked about improving customer service. Louis Villeneuve, a Liberal member, asked about the effectiveness of the new system and the risks of not updating the old systems. The committee also discussed the need for transparency and the production of documents related to the modernization project.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met to discuss housing starts in relation to federal programs. Kevin Lee, CEO of the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA), spoke about the shift in housing starts from ownership to rental units and the need for more homes for ownership to achieve affordability. He highlighted that policies at all levels of government have made home ownership increasingly difficult and suggested actions like reducing sales and development taxes, streamlining regulations, and fixing the mortgage stress test. Mike Moffatt, Founding Director of the Missing Middle Initiative, emphasized the importance of having a clear goal for housing policy, such as ensuring that middle-class families can afford to buy or rent a home. He cautioned against relying solely on housing start numbers as an indicator of success and suggested tracking excavations as a better real-time measure of construction activity. He also noted the importance of certainty regarding immigration policies for builders to make informed investment decisions. Committee members discussed various issues, including how housing starts are counted, the impact of construction costs, and the need for coordination between federal, provincial, and municipal governments. The witnesses and committee members agreed that both rental and ownership housing are important, and that current policies may be disproportionately favoring rental construction. The committee approved a budget of $18,750 to continue the study.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development met to discuss a proposed law called Build Canada Homes. This law aims to help build more affordable housing in Canada. The committee heard from several witnesses who shared their thoughts on the proposed law. Mitch Gascoyne from CentreCourt, a large housing developer, said that the cost of building homes is too high, even though land and construction costs have gone down. He believes Build Canada Homes can help by providing money for affordable housing projects. He also said that this new program should work with, not replace, existing programs like those offered by CMHC. Laurent Levesque and Maxime Pelletier from UTILE, a non-profit housing builder, talked about the need for Build Canada Homes to fund multiple projects at once, instead of one at a time. They also said that CMHC programs need to work better with Build Canada Homes. Samuel Watts from Welcome Hall Mission, a social services organization, supported the proposed law but said that it needs to include funding for support services to help people stay in their homes. He also suggested that the definition of "affordable housing" should be written into the law itself. During the meeting, committee members also debated a request for documents related to a government benefits system called Cúram. Some members wanted to get more information about the system's costs and performance, while others argued that producing the documents would take too much time and resources away from other important work. The committee agreed to invite the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and the Minister of Jobs and Families to testify at a future meeting.

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.