HR Committee

HANSARD NOVA SCOTIA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES Tuesday, July 28, 2020 Via Teleconference Appointments to Agencies, Boards and Commissions Printed and Published by Nova Scotia Hansard Reporting Services HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE Brendan Maguire, Chair Suzanne Lohnes-Croft, Vice-Chair Bill Horne Rafah DiCostanzo Brad Johns Larry Harrison Kendra Coombes Claudia Chender [Hon. Tony Ince replaced Brendan Maguire for a portion of the meeting] In Attendance: Judy Kavanagh Legislative Committee Clerk Gordon Hebb Chief Legislative Counsel HALIFAX, TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2020 STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES 10:00 A.M. CHAIR Mr. Brendan Maguire VICE-CHAIR Ms. Suzanne Lohnes-Croft THE CHAIR: Hello, everybody. It’s Brendan Maguire here. I’m the Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Resources. Today, we will consider appointments for ABCs - agencies, boards, and commissions. I’m asking that everybody keep their phone on mute unless they’re called upon by myself or one of the staff here. I’m going to take a quick roll call. [The committee members introduced themselves.] THE CHAIR: We’ll start with the ABC appointments. Is there anyone who wants to speak up? SUZANNE LOHNES-CROFT: For the Department of Business, I move that the following be appointed to the Peggy’s Cove Commission: Janice Steeles as a member, Nicole Campbell as Vice-Chair and member, Peter Richardson as Chair and member, and Karren Fader as a member. THE CHAIR: Are there any questions? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay. 1 2 HANSARD COMM. (HR) TUE., JUL. 28, 2020 The motion is carried. Anyone else? SUZANNE LOHNES-CROFT: For the Department of Environment, I move that the following be appointed to the Round Table on the Environment and Sustainable Prosperity: Scott Skinner as member and Chair, John Crace and Angeline M.B. Gillis as members. THE CHAIR: Are there any questions? BRAD JOHNS: Mr. Chair, as the Critic for the Department of Environment, I just want the record to reflect - I know there are currently 15 vacancies on the Environment and Sustainable Prosperity committee. This will fill three of those, and two of those being reappointments, so there is really only one new appointment. It still leaves 12 vacant seats on that committee. I just want the record to reflect that. I’m really very disappointed. Last year, the government called an emergency meeting on climate change and talked about how important it was to address the issues around climate. Here we are today making appointments to that committee and we’re only making three appointments - two of them are reappointments - and still there are 12 outstanding vacancies on that committee. I just want the record to show that the PC caucus and I, as the Environment Critic, are very disappointed that we didn’t have more applicants come forward, and more appointments today. THE CHAIR: Duly noted. Anyone else? CLAUDIA CHENDER: I would echo the concern of my colleague around the remaining vacancies. I do want to say that I think we’re pleased to see the reappointment of Mr. Skinner and Mr. Crace. They have been longstanding members of that board and have done a good job in that capacity, but it’s true that this round table is a very important one. In the past, it has been one that represents all sectors of the environment and the environment-impacting industries. It has been unusual in that way in that we have a lot of players at the table and the ability to really have conversations that have far-reaching consequences. I agree that with 12 vacancies, that’s not going to get up and running - not to mention the fact that there has been continual delay in the appointment process for this particular board. In times past, we’ve waited a year or two past expiration to reappoint members. I think it’s important that the record shows that we’re eager to see this round table up and running at full capacity as soon as possible. TUE., JUL. 28, 2020 HANSARD COMM. (HR) 3 THE CHAIR: Duly noted. I would add that you’re both right - it is an extremely important committee. I think we all have very extensive connections within the community. Maybe what we could do as committee members and individual MLAs is reach out to our connections. I personally don’t know why, but we could encourage some of those individuals that we know who we think would fit well on this board to apply. BRAD JOHNS: Thank you for your comments. I would suggest two things. First of all, although I personally - and I’m sure other MLAs - have no problem making references, there were 34 applicants who came forward for this. When we have brought up issues on the floor or in different committees, we’re basically told that it’s a responsibility of the government to do that. During the sitting of the House when the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act was passed, the minister did commit that he would be out doing consultations and meeting with groups and all that come September. Obviously, the fact there are still 12 vacancies to this committee doesn’t bode well on meeting the commitments that he made in the House. Once again, there were 34 applicants that came forward for this board, so it’s not that there was a lack of people who came forward. It’s that there were only three people who are being recommended. THE CHAIR: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay. The motion is carried. Is there anyone else? RAFAH DICOSTANZO: For the Department of Health and Wellness, I move that Rilla Banks be appointed as a member to the Board of the Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors. THE CHAIR: Is there any discussion? Brad Johns. BRAD JOHNS: I’m wondering if the clerk can confirm this or not: Does this board pay $300 per meeting? JUDY KAVANAGH: I don’t know. That would be in the ABCs package you were sent. BRAD JOHNS: I do believe it does. I’d just like the record to reflect that applicants to this board are paid $300 plus expenses per meeting. 4 HANSARD COMM. (HR) TUE., JUL. 28, 2020 THE CHAIR: Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay. The motion is carried. Is there anything else? RAFAH DICOSTANZO: For the Department of Health and Wellness, I move that Trevor McGowan be appointed as a public representative to the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. THE CHAIR: Are there any questions? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay. The motion is carried. RAFAH DICOSTANZO: For the Department of Health and Wellness, I move the following be appointed as public representatives to the Council of the College of Paramedics of Nova Scotia: Nicholas Burke, Dr. Caitlin Lees, and Andrew Nemirovsky. THE CHAIR: Are there any questions? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay. The motion is carried. Are there any more ABCs? BILL HORNE: For the Department of Justice, I move that Aimee Virick be appointed as a member to the Licensed Professional Planners Association. THE CHAIR: Are there any questions? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay. The motion is carried. I did receive a few text messages. I will recognize the NDP caucus. They want to put something forward. KENDRA COOMBES: I would like to put forward a motion for consideration of the committee. I’ll read the motion and then I’ll speak to it: I move that the committee write a letter to the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education calling on him to immediately: TUE., JUL. 28, 2020 HANSARD COMM. (HR) 5 1) Review and revise criteria for post-secondary board appointments to ensure greater alignment between appointee experience and the interests and history of the institutions they are to serve. 2) Design and institute with university community involvement a diversity strategy for post-secondary governance that includes the recognition of systemic racism in post-secondary institutions and the initiation of anti-racist action planning at the leadership level. Nova Scotia universities are crucial pillars of our province whose governance requires transparency, accountability, and diversity of perspective. Students and faculty voices are critical in this process. Recent events at NSCAD University have underscored broader concerns with university governance that must be addressed. As universities navigate the physical and logistical challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and rise to meet the demands, both new and old, of the BIPOC communities asking for change, university leadership must remain responsive and accountable. THE CHAIR: Is there any discussion? CLAUDIA CHENDER: You should all have that in your emails. [10:15 a.m.] THE CHAIR: I’m just checking to see if I have it in my email. I apologize. Can I take five minutes? I’m trying to find it in my email, and I can’t find it. Is it possible to have it sent again? Rafah. RAFAH DICOSTANZO: I wanted to recess, Mr. Chair, for five minutes as well. I need to read the exact details. I did not read it ahead of time. I apologize. JUDY KAVANAGH: I have just sent it out to members a few minutes ago to members and researchers. You’re seeing it for the first time now. SUZANNE-LOHNES-CROFT: That’s why we can’t find it. (Laughter) JUDY KAVANAGH: You should have it by now.

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