HANSARD
NOVA SCOTIA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
COMMITTEE
ON
HUMAN RESOURCES
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
COMMITTEE ROOM
Appointments to Agencies, Boards and Commissions
Printed and Published by Nova Scotia Hansard Reporting Services
STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES
Mr. Ben Jessome (Chairman)
Ms. Suzanne Lohnes-Croft (Vice-Chairman)
Hon. Chuck Porter
Mr. Bill Horne
Ms. Rafah DiCostanzo
Ms. Alana Paon
Mr. Brad Johns
Hon. David Wilson
Ms. Claudia Chender
[Mr. Brendan Maguire replaced Hon. Chuck Porter]
In Attendance:
Ms. Judy Kavanagh
Legislative Committee Clerk
Mr. Gordon Hebb
Chief Legislative Counsel
HALIFAX, TUESDAY, JULY 31, 2018
STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES
10:00 A.M.
CHAIRMAN
Mr. Ben Jessome
VICE-CHAIRMAN
Ms. Suzanne Lohnes-Croft
MR. CHAIRMAN: I’d like to call this meeting to order. This is the Tuesday, July 31, 2018, meeting of the Human Resources Committee. I am Ben Jessome, MLA for Hammonds Plains-Lucasville and your chair for this morning’s proceedings.
I would like to welcome the newest member of our committee, Ms. Alana Paon. Welcome to the club.
Phones off, please. Washrooms are out to your left. Get out the doors and up to Parade Square through the Granville exit if something goes wonky.
Today’s committee business is agency, board and commission appointments. Let’s get started. Do I have a motion from the floor? (Interruption)
Sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself, folks. Please excuse me. Starting at my far left, let’s do some introductions, please.
[The committee members introduced themselves.]
MR. CHAIRMAN: In an appropriate order at this point, I look for a motion from the floor for appointments to our agencies, boards and commissions.
Mr. Horne.
MR. BILL HORNE: For the Department of Business, Innovacorp Board of Directors, I move that the appointment of Chris Huskilson as a member be approved.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there any discussion on that motion? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Moving to the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, with the Advisory Council on Heritage Property. Mr. Horne.
MR. HORNE: For the Advisory Council on Heritage Property, I move that the appointments of Peter Davies, Stephen Mills, and James Gordon Wood as members be approved.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there any discussion on that motion? Mr. Johns.
MR. BRAD JOHNS: Just for clarification, how many applicants in total put in for that? Do we know? (Interruption)
MR. CHAIRMAN: For the record, it was noted that we don’t know.
MR. JOHNS: I thought I had seen that 104 men had applied. I was wondering - the number seemed high. I don’t think I’ve ever seen 107 people put in for anything. I just wanted clarification - that was my only question. I just wanted clarification on the number of applicants. Thank you.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there any further discussion on that motion? Mr. Johns again, please.
MR. JOHNS: I would follow up on that. I noted that there were four vacancies. We’re filling three of those now. I’m just curious why we didn’t fill all four of them.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I wouldn’t have a response to you at this time, but we could endeavour to get one. We’re always trying to fill as many positions as we can. We’ll continue to make an effort to do so as time allows.
MR. JOHNS: If we could, Mr. Chairman, I would like confirmation at some point in time. It doesn’t have to be right now. How many applicants put in for that one? I’m just curious to know.
MR. CHAIRMAN: For the record, Mr. Johns and the PC caucus would like to know the number of applicants.
MS. JUDY KAVANAGH (Legislative Committee Clerk): I’ll speak to the Executive Council Office and find out.
MR. JOHNS: Thank you.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there further discussion on that motion? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Moving to the Western Counties Regional Library Board. A motion from the floor - Ms. DiCostanzo.
MS. RAFAH DICOSTANZO: I move that the appointment of Richard Darryl Wiseman as a member be approved.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there any discussion on that motion? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
The Nova Scotia Museum Board of Governors. Ms. DiCostanzo.
MS. DICOSTANZO: For the Museum Board of Governors, I move that the appointment of Bruce Dodge as a member be approved.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there any discussion on that motion? Mr. Johns.
MR. JOHNS: Once again, I’m looking at the number of vacancies. I believe there are four vacancies. I’m curious why, once again, we’re only looking at appointing one. I think there were nine applicants for this one, yet we’re only filling one of the positions of the four. Once again, I’m curious as to why we’re not looking at creating a full slate there.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I’m just making a couple of notes here. Ms. Kavanagh would like to jump in here.
MS. KAVANAGH: As far as I understand it, that has to do with the timing of the whole process, which can be kind of lengthy. All we have to work with is what the minister sends to the Executive Council and they pass on to us.
MR. JOHNS: Thank you, Ms. Kavanagh. I guess my point would be that if we have nine applicants that come forward, I’m just curious as to why we’re not looking at filling more. There are four vacancies, and we have nine applicants. Unless there’s something significant that jumps out or is wrong with one of those applicants - it almost seems like we’re not filling some of these boards and commissions. I would think they would require to have a full slate of officers in order to do business, to meet quorum, and things like that.
When I look at all of these, it seems to be a trend that we’re not filling the vacancies that are there although the applicants are available. I’m just curious as to why that isn’t happening.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Mr. Johns. That’s definitely a fair point, and we’ll definitely get you some intel on why that may be the case.
Back to the motion around the Museum Board of Governors, Bruce Dodge for member, is there any further discussion? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Moving further to the Sherbrooke Restoration Commission. Ms. DiCostanzo.
MS. DICOSTANZO: For the Sherbrooke Restoration Commission, I move that the appointment of Ruth Legge as a member be approved.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there any discussion on that motion? Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Moving to the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Ms. Lohnes-Croft.
MS. SUZANNE LOHNES-CROFT: For the Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board, I move that the appointments of Wayne Gaudet as vice-chairman and member and Claude Poirier as a member be approved.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there any discussion on that motion? Mr. Johns.
MR. JOHNS: Just for clarification, is the Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board a paying committee?
MR. CHAIRMAN: To clarify for the committee, the remuneration for the chair is $150 a day plus expenses; the vice-chair gets $100 a day plus expenses; and members get $100 a day plus expenses.
Mr. Maguire.
MR. BRENDAN MAGUIRE: When you say “a day,” let’s clarify that. That’s per meeting, not per day - 365 days a year.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Excuse me, it explicitly says here “per day.”
MR. MAGUIRE: But it’s per meeting.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I’m just going by what I have in front of me, in the ink here.
MR. MAGUIRE: Yes, it’s per meeting, not per day. Let’s get that on the record. (Interruptions) Per meeting - they’re not getting paid $100 a day.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Johns.
MR. JOHNS: I guess it would be beneficial - my assumption would be similar to MLA Maguire’s, but it would be nice to have confirmation on that for the record, I think, now that it has been brought up.
My question is, the position of vice-chair would make $150 per day (Interruptions) Okay, so it is $100 for the vice-chair. I was going to ask (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Order, please, everybody.
MR. JOHNS: My clarification was, is it $150 a day plus $100 as vice-chair, or is it $100 as vice-chair.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Just bear with us here, guys. We’re going to have a look.
Quite honestly, it’s not clear to me, but I would expect that the vice-chair gets $100, the same as a member would get $100 for each day that they’re working.
Mr. Johns.
MR. JOHNS: Just for clarification, through you to Ms. Kavanagh - for a member, it’s $150 a day.
MS. KAVANAGH: It’s $100.
MR. JOHNS: The vice-chair receives?
MS. KAVANAGH: One hundred dollars per day.
MR. JOHNS: As vice-chair and member, which is what’s highlighted here, does he receive $100 a day, or does he receive $200 a day? It’s highlighted on our agenda as “vice-chair and member.” To me, if he was vice-chair, he’s automatically a member. I’m just curious. When we go to Claude Poirier, it says “member,” but for Mr. Gaudet, it says “vice-chair and member.” Therefore, I’m curious to know what the position pays.
MS. KAVANAGH: We will find out.
MR. CHAIRMAN: We will absolutely get that information for you and clarify - in writing or at our next meeting?
MS. KAVANAGH: I can email it.
MR. CHAIRMAN: We’ll do that by email if that’s agreeable.
MR. JOHNS: I’m also curious - I’m obviously just this term, but Mr. Gaudet was an MLA at one time, correct?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Yes.
MR. JOHNS: What caucus was he with?
MR. CHAIRMAN: That would be the Liberal caucus.
MR. JOHNS: If we could clarify that, I would really appreciate that.
MR. CHAIRMAN: I’m pretty sure he was with the Liberal caucus.
MR. JOHNS: Not that, the money.
If I could, the other thing is that although I was able to find the number of applicants for all the other commissions and appointments today, I didn’t see how many applicants put in for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board. I know we have the two appointments and four vacancies available. I couldn’t find out how many people put in on that. I’d like to know what the number of applications was for that one as well.
MR. CHAIRMAN: We’ll make a point to look into that. I don’t know what the rules are right off the top of my head. It’s not common practice for this to come up. In keeping with the rules that we’re responsible to adhere to, we’ll present you with as much information as we’re allowed to.
MR. JOHNS: Mr. Chairman, if I could, our caucus is not going to oppose the two members coming forward, who are being proposed here. I do think it’s important to know the number of vacancies and the number of applicants. We go through and find that out, but I think it’s important to know that. As I said just previously, if these commissions and boards aren’t getting filled, we need to know why they’re not getting filled.
[10:15 a.m.]
MR. CHAIRMAN: Absolutely, Mr. Johns. I think we’re all invested in trying to fill these boards. Let’s try to get some information. The committee will hear from our clerk sometime in the not-too-distant future.
MR. JOHNS: Thank you.
MR. CHAIRMAN: We have a motion on the floor for the Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board: Wayne Gaudet as vice-chair and member and Claude Poirier as member. Is there any further discussion?
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
For the Department of Justice, Municipal Boards of Police Commissioners, Ms. Lohnes-Croft.
MS. LOHNES-CROFT: For the Police Commissioners Municipal Boards, I move that the appointment of Paul Walker from Kentville, as a member, be approved.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Is there any discussion on the appointment of Paul Walker to the Municipal Boards of Police Commissioners?
Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.
The motion is carried.
Mr. Johns.
MR. JOHNS: Just before we leave, I do feel it’s important to show the number of appointments, the number of applicants, the number of vacancies, and even the number of applicants by gender. Is that something that needs a motion of this committee to go forward to do in future?
MR. CHAIRMAN: I think we just agreed that we would present that information. You have certainly made the cause worth the committee’s consideration.
MR. JOHNS: We don’t need a motion?
MR. CHAIRMAN: I don’t think so.
We’ll move to Ms. Paon.
MS. ALANA PAON: The only thing I would add to that - and I agree with Brad - I only see one woman being reappointed in this entire list, and that is some cause for concern from my perspective.
I would like to know how many applicants per department and what the breakdown was per gender in those applicants, but I would also like to know what the breakdown in gender parity is already on these boards. There are obviously already some members on there. I would just like to know, are we striving for 50-50, are we striving for 60-40? In general, are we just striving to try to get a little bit more of a balance on these boards and commissions?
The other thing, being that I’m an MLA for a rural constituency, is that I would like to make certain that we are getting some representation from a rural perspective on these boards and commissions as well. I would like to know if there’s any way of knowing how many people are sitting on these boards and commissions from rural Nova Scotia as well as urban Nova Scotia.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you for those points, Ms. Paon. It was just highlighted here by our clerk that actually most of that information, if not all of it, would exist in our applications.
For example, just brought up in the guidelines here, to use as an example, one of the applications for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board, the specific question was answered on how many responses came from the advertisements: one, for a Fall 2017 advertisement, and in early 2018 - January and February - three new applications were received. So, it actually indicates the number of applications that were received.
The composition of the board is also available in our package as well. It’s all here. The current composition of agency, board and commission - this is relevant to the same board: the board is currently comprised of the chair and four members. Membership ID is made up of all males with regional representation: HRM, Yarmouth County, Richmond County, and CBRM. Most of that information is in our packages.
Mr. Johns.
MR. JOHNS: What I would suggest is that that is where we get some of these, through the package, but it doesn’t highlight everything in all circumstances. As Ms. Paon is saying, there are some questions - we can’t find regional representation in some cases. We can’t find male versus female, gender . . .
MR. CHAIRMAN: If I can try to wrap us up here, maybe we as caucuses can make a list of our top five or 10 indicators, let’s say, that we would like to see highlighted. Maybe we can have another discussion about this at another meeting to say what we would like to see as part of the highlights in our information package if that’s agreeable to the committee.
Ms. Chender.
MS. CLAUDIA CHENDER: On another topic, I just wanted to note that I saw that the applications for the Provincial Advisory Council on Education close on August 13th. I’m certainly hopeful that that council will be in place by the school year. I wonder if the clerk or anyone can inform us whether that’s going to come before us at the August 28th meeting.
MS. KAVANAGH: I’ll get it about 10 days before the meeting on a Friday. I will email the entire package to you the following Tuesday, a week before the meeting. I don’t know much before you know.
MS. CHENDER: Thank you.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Again, I’ll give you some homework for the month of August; I won’t bind us to the August meeting to determine this. Generally, if each caucus can come up with a list of characteristics that they would like to see highlighted in our packages, then we will do some work to try to solidify a reasonable list. Hopefully that will help us with the work of this committee. Sound good? Wonderful.
Is there any further committee business? Our next meeting date is Tuesday, August 28th of this same year, at 10:00 a.m. We’ll also be doing further appointments to our agencies, boards and commissions.
Further discussion? The meeting is adjourned. Thank you, folks.
[The committee adjourned at 10:23 a.m.]
