The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 701, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Dean Allison, presiding.

Libby Davies moved, — That in relation to Bill C-257 this committee direct the clerk to ensure that the hours of the currently scheduled committee meetings are extended as necessary so that a technical briefing be held no later than February 1 and that all currently scheduled witnesses be heard by no later than February 7 and that a clause-by-clause reading of this bill be completed on February 8 .

By unanimous consent, the motion was allowed to stand.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

At 5:25 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:30 p.m., the sitting resumed.

By unanimous consent, the Committee reverted to the consideration of the motion of Libby Davies previously stood which read as follows: That in relation to Bill C-257 this committee direct the clerk to ensure that the hours of the currently scheduled committee meetings are extended as necessary so that a technical briefing be held no later than February 1 and that all currently scheduled witnesses be heard by no later than February 7 and that a clause-by-clause reading of this bill be completed on February 8 .

Debate arose thereon

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:YEAS: Libby Davies, Carole Lavallée, Yves Lessard, Mario Silva — 4; NAYS: Patrick Brown, Ruby Dhalla, Russ Hiebert, Mike Lake, Michael Savage, Lynne Yelich — 6.

Lynne Yelich moved, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $18 500.00, to study Bill C-257, be adopted and that the Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee .

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 3.

On motion of Libby Davies, it was agreed, — That the calendar be referred to the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure and that the Subcommittee then meet and report back to Committee as soon as possible.

At 6:15 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.