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

The committee held its first meeting of the session to elect a chair and vice-chairs. Robert Morrissey was elected chair, Rosemarie Falk as first vice-chair, and Marilène Gill as second vice-chair. The committee then adopted a series of routine motions governing its operations, including the establishment of a subcommittee on agenda and procedure, rules for witness testimony and questioning, document distribution, in-camera meetings, and notice requirements for substantive motions.

The committee also adopted a motion to invite several ministers—including the Minister of Jobs and Families, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, and the Secretaries of State for Seniors, Labour, and Children and Youth—to appear separately for one hour each to discuss their mandates.

A Conservative motion was moved to conduct a study on the student unemployment crisis, citing Statistics Canada data that more than one in five returning students were unemployed. The motion proposed at least five meetings before July 31, 2025. During debate, a Liberal subamendment extended the deadline to September 30, 2025, and added that the chair should endeavour to schedule one or two meetings per month. After the subamendment was adopted, the main motion as amended was put to a vote and defeated. The meeting was then adjourned.