This House of Commons committee meeting studied the definition of “work” and the use of section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, as well as government mandates and key priorities. Appearing were Maryse Tremblay, Chairperson of the Canada Industrial Relations Board, and Paul Thompson, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development, along with Secretary of State for Children and Youth Anna Gainey.
Maryse Tremblay explained that the Canada Industrial Relations Board is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that interprets and applies the Canada Labour Code, and she declined to comment on policy issues or substantive matters before the board, including the impact of the lack of a definition of “work” or the minister’s use of section 107. She noted that section 107 referrals increase the board’s workload and are treated as priority files, but she referred members to board decisions for explanations of specific rulings, such as why the WestJet referral did not require an end to the strike while later referrals did. She provided a list of board decisions on ministerial referrals from 2024–2025 and confirmed that, prior to the last two years, there had been only 10 section 107 referrals since 1984, with the numbers speaking for themselves.
Paul Thompson, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development, answered questions about the national school food program and student grants. He stated that robust reporting requirements are in place for the school food program and that the government is optimistic about meeting its target of feeding up to 400,000 additional children. On student grants, he confirmed that current levels are 40% above pre-pandemic levels but that no decision has been made on future funding levels for the following year.
Secretary of State Anna Gainey focused her testimony on government programs for children and youth, including the national school food program, the Canada child benefit, affordable child care, and the Canada summer jobs program. She defended the school food program as a meaningful step forward that saves families money and helps children learn, and she highlighted that the budget 2025 proposes making it permanent. She declined to answer questions on mandatory minimum sentences for child sexual abuse material, immigration policy’s impact on youth unemployment, student grant levels for private institutions, or research funding, directing those questions to other ministers. She disagreed with the premise that the government has not consulted youth organizations, stating she has met with many stakeholders, and she emphasized the government’s focus on job creation and major projects.
During the meeting, a motion was moved by Kyle Seeback to study illegal foreign labour on federally funded infrastructure projects, but debate was adjourned after an amendment was proposed to broaden the scope to all illegal foreign labour in Canada. The committee also briefly debated procedural points, including a challenge to the chair’s ruling and a question of privilege regarding the secretary of state’s refusal to answer certain questions, but no votes were recorded on these matters.
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