HUMA - House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Liberal

Sean Casey
(Chair)
Prince Edward Island

Han Dong
Ontario

Wayne Long
New Brunswick

Ryan Turnbull
Ontario

Adam Vaughan
Ontario
PS for Families, Children and Social Development (Housing)

Kate Young
Ontario
PS for Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario)

Conservative

Dan Albas
British Columbia
Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Critic

Rosemarie Falk
Saskatchewan
Deputy Critic (FCSD)

Stephanie Kusie
(Vice-Chair)
Alberta
Families, Children and Social Development Critic

Brad Vis
British Columbia
Deputy Critic (EWDDI)

NDP

Leah Gazan
Manitoba
Families, Children and Social Development Critic

Bloc Québécois

Louise Chabot
(Vice-Chair)
Québec
Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

Liberal

Sean Casey

• Liberal Party
• Charlottetown
• Prince Edward Island

IRCC related interventions in Parliament: N/A

Brief Biography

Sean was born in St.John’s, Newfoundland but grew up in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Saint Francis Xavier University. He worked for the New Brunswick Telephone Company before attending Dalhousie Law School, graduating in 1988. While attending Dalhousie, he was on the Student Union Executive and served as President of the Law Students Association.

Upon graduating, Sean served as a summer student at what was then Scales Jenkins and McQuaid (now Stewart McKelvey) in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. He continued to work with the firm and was named a partner at 29 years of age. In 2003, Sean left the firm to take a leadership role in the family business, commonly known as Paderno. That was also the year he ran his first of four marathons.

In 2008, Sean rejoined Stewart McKelvey where he served as Regional Managing Partner.

In 2011, Sean was elected the Member of Parliament of Charlottetown. He was re-elected in 2015, and again most recently in 2019. In Parliament, Sean has served most recently as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard. He has previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, as well as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. He is currently the Chair of the Liberal Atlantic Caucus.

Han Dong

• Liberal Party
• Don Valley North
• Ontario

IRCC related interventions in Parliament: N/A

Brief Biography

Raised and educated in Toronto, Han Dong, his sister, and his parents immigrated to Canada from Shanghai in 1990. Growing up working at his parent’s 24-hour coffee shop, Han learned the value of hard work, family, and community which ultimately lead him to public service.

In 2014, Han was elected as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), gaining valuable legislative experience.

Han works with a Toronto based high-tech company dedicated to building safer communities with digital neighbourhood watch technology. He has also shown leadership in promoting Toronto's diversity, currently serving as the leader of the Chinatown Gateway Committee established by Mayor John Tory.

Han and his wife Sophie, are the proud parents of Emma and Matthew.

Wayne Long

• Liberal Party
• Saint John — Rothesay
• New Brunswick

IRCC related interventions in Parliament: N/A

Brief Biography

Wayne Long is a member of the Saint John community with national and international business experience. Wayne currently serves as President of the Saint John Sea Dogs, and his efforts have helped turn the team into one of Canada’s most successful CHL hockey franchises winning the cherished Memorial Cup in 2011. That same year, Wayne was recognized with the John Horman Trophy, awarded to the Top Executive in the QMJHL.

Prior to his work with the Sea Dogs, Wayne was President of Scotiaview Seafood Inc. He was also a successful large-scale product manager with Stolt Sea Farm Inc. Wayne’s work has seen him travel across North America, negotiating contracts with national restaurant distributors, restaurant chains, and retail chains. He earned the North American Excellence in Sales and Marketing award twice. Wayne is a former Board Member for Destination Marketing and Salmon Marketing.

Wayne was born in the riding, has lived in the riding 44 years, and currently calls the area home alongside his wife, Denise, and their two children, Khristian and Konnor.

Ryan Turnbull

• Liberal Party
• Whitby
• Ontario

IRCC related interventions in Parliament: N/A

Brief Biography

Ryan Turnbull is a passionate change maker, experienced entrepreneur and social innovation that has devoted his life to advance ethical leadership, social responsibility, and build a more ethical economy and society. Ryan has raised his young family in the Durham Region for over five years and has deep roots in the Whitby community, where he recently moved.

Ryan has taken advanced leadership training and earned an MA in philosophy from Carleton University. Ryan has taught and developed curriculum at multiple post-secondary institutions around the world. Over the last decade, Ryan has led the development of a successful social innovation consulting firm that has had a direct social impact on the organizations, communities and the people they serve, in the Durham Region and across Ontario. Ryan has worked with over 250 charitable organizations, has advised government at all levels and has led over 350 impactful projects and his work has had a direct and positive influence on the quality of life for all segments of the population including children, youth, seniors, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, Indigenous people, women, LGBTQ2S, and many others. Ryan has also served on the board of directors for Food Secure Canada and the Ethics Practitioners’ Association of Canada.

Adam Vaughan

• Liberal Party
• Spadina—Fort York
• Ontario

IRCC related interventions in Parliament:

• On March 12, 2020 during a HUMA meeting on committee business, the member expressed interest that the committee conduct a study related to the pilot program of the Temporary Foreign Workers Program, “I have no problem, obviously, exploring the full scope of the program as it relates to the pilot project.”

Brief Biography

Adam Vaughan has been elected to the House of Commons twice and has also served two terms as a Toronto City Councillor. He currently represents the downtown riding of Spadina-Fort York and serves as the Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Urban Affairs under Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, the Minister for Families, Children and Social Development.

Prior to entering politics in 2006, Mr. Vaughan was a journalist for over twenty years. He began life as a journalist at CKLN Radio, moving to Citytv and then CBC Television and Radio. As a reporter he specialized in municipal affairs mainly covering City Hall and Queen’s Park, and occasionally covering Parliament Hill as well. Mr. Vaughan has also written on urban issues for several publications and is a published cartoonist.

At the Federal level Mr. Vaughan has played a key role in developing Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy. On February 1, 2017 Mr. Vaughan was appointed to chair an Advisory Committee on Homelessness that recommended restructuring Canada’s approach to fighting homelessness. From December 2015 to February 2017, Mr. Vaughan served as the Prime Minister’s Parliamentary Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, helping to restore the Federal Government’s role in city building.

As a municipal politician, Mr. Vaughan helped reform the city’s approach to housing and led the revitalization, construction and repair of public housing, including spearheading the rebuild of Alexandra Park. He was also on the Boards of the Toronto Arts Council, The Art Gallery of Ontario and the Harbourfront Centre for the Arts. Mr. Vaughan also served on Toronto’s Police Services Board.

Kate Young

• Liberal Party
• London West
• Ontario

IRCC related interventions in Parliament: N/A

Brief Biography

Kate Young was first elected Member of Parliament for London West in October 2015. She is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario). She has also served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Transport for Science and Sport, and for Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility (Accessibility).

Prior to being elected, Kate had a lengthy career in journalism and public relations in both the private and public sector. Best known as the first female news anchor at CFPL-TV in London, Kate was also the Manager of Public Affairs and Community Relations for the Thames Valley District School Board and Manager of Community Relations at TD Financial Group.

As a community organizer, Kate has volunteered much of her free time with organizations that directly impact London West, including the London Health Sciences Foundation Board of Directors, the Fanshawe College Board of Directors, and the Museum London Board of Directors. In 2007, London City Press Club named Kate Newsmaker of the Year for her outstanding service to the London community.

Kate has a diploma in Journalism (Broadcast) from Fanshawe College and is the proud mother of two children. She is also a grandma to twin boys. Kate grew up in London West, attended Westminster Secondary School, and continues to live in the riding with her partner Brian.

Conservative

Dan Albas

• Conservative Party
• Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Critic
• Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola
• British Columbia

IRCC related interventions in Parliament:

• During deliberations at Committee of the Whole on April 11, 2020, the member asked,
  • “if seasonal workers were included under the CERB. She [Minister Qualtrough] said that they were. We now know that they are not. Was she mistaken when she spoke or was there a policy change to exclude the seasonal workers?”
  • “Mr. Chair, the minister earlier said that changing the worker eligibility to add seasonal workers who are currently not working would require a legislative change. Presumably, this would be to section 6(1)(a), to remove the criteria, “ceasing working for reasons related to COVID-19”.
  • Earlier she [Minister Qualtrough] said to the member for New Brunswick Southwest that it would take a regulatory change.
  • How would people who did not cease working due to COVID-19 be covered without changing the section of the act?”
• During deliberations at Committee of the Whole on March 25, 2020, the member asked,
  • “last Friday the government announced temporary foreign workers already here would be extended from one year to two, and in certain industries it will be easier and faster to bring in a temporary foreign worker. We see in this legislation tonight, under the definition of “worker”, it says “resident of Canada.” Does this new benefit apply to citizens and permanent residents or to anyone who lives here, such as those on a work visa?”
  • “Will people who are here as temporary foreign workers, who lose their jobs, be able to apply for this benefit, yes or no?”
• On March 12, 2020 during a HUMA meeting on committee business, the member expressed that he would support a motion that would allow the committee to study the pilot project for seasonal workers, “I'm inclined to support the motion.”
  • During the same meeting he also stated, “The problem is that when they return to Mexico, they can apply to receive some of their taxes back, but they cannot apply to get back their Canada pension or their old age security.”

Brief Biography

Dan Albas, Conservative Member of Parliament for the riding of Central Okanagan – Similkameen – Nicola, is currently the Shadow Minister for Employment, Workforce Development & Disability Inclusion.

Before entering public life, Dan was the owner of Kick City Martial Arts, responsible for training hundreds of men, women and youth to bring out their best.

Dan is consistently recognized as one of Canada’s top ten most active Members of Parliament on Twitter (@danalbas) and also continues to write a weekly column published in many local newspapers and on this website.

Rosemarie Falk

• Conservative Party
• Battlefords — Lloydminster
• Saskatchewan

IRCC related interventions in Parliament: N/A

Brief Biography

Rosemarie Falk is the federal Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster. She was first elected to the House of Commons in a federal by-election on December 11, 2017. In the 42nd Canadian Parliament, she served as Deputy Shadow Minister for Families, Children and Social Development and Status of Women. She was also a member the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Rosemarie was born and raised in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Along with her husband Adam, she is now raising her children there. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary. Throughout her work and volunteer experience, she has been actively engaged in her community working with some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Rosemarie is committed to being a strong voice for families, taxpayers and rural communities. She is in federal politics to help build a stronger Canada today and for the next generation.

Stephanie Kusie

• Conservative Party
• Families, Children and Social Development Critic
• Calgary Midnapore
• Alberta

IRCC related interventions in Parliament: N/A

Brief Biography

Stephanie was born and raised in the community of Calgary Midnapore and earned a degree in political science from the University of Calgary. Stephanie went on to obtain her Master’s in Business Administration from Rutgers University.

As a diplomat for the Canadian federal government, Stephanie served in Argentina in 2006; was chargée d’affaires and Consul for Canada in El Salvador from 2006-2008; and Consul for Canada at the Consulate in Dallas, Texas from 2010-2013. She also served as policy advisor to the Honourable Minister Peter Kent during his time as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for the Americas in the Harper Administration in 2009.

Elected as a federal Member of Parliament in 2017, Stephanie was asked to serve as the Official Opposition Deputy Shadow Minister for Health. In September 2018 she took over the position of Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Democratic Institutions. Following her successful re-election in October 2019, she was asked to serve as the Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Families, Children and Social Development.

In 2018 Stephanie accepted an invitation to become a member of the Trilateral Commission and was elected to the Executive Committee of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas Interparliamentary Association.

Brad Vis

• Conservative Party
• Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon
• British Columbia

IRCC related interventions in Parliament: N/A

Brief Biography

Born in Matsqui, British Columbia, Brad has deep roots in the Fraser Valley. The grandson of Dutch immigrants, he was raised on the values of hard work, sacrifice, integrity and determination.

Brad has spent the majority of his career working in government, politics and the agri-business sector. His professional background extends to the fields of communications, public relations and policy development.

Brad holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Carleton University.

Brad is happily married to Kathleen and the father of Declyn.

NDP

Leah Gazan

• New Democratic Party
• Families, Children and Social Development Critic
• Winnipeg Centre
• Manitoba

IRCC related interventions in Parliament:

• On March 12, 2020 during a HUMA meeting on committee business, the member commented, “I know that in my riding, temporary foreign workers and migrant workers are a huge issue. It probably warrants more than just a small part of study given certain human rights matters and issues around that. I'm wondering if that might be better as a study on its own, just out of respect for the difficulties many workers face when they're either temporary foreign workers or migrant workers.”

Brief Biography

Leah Gazan has spent her life working for human rights on the local, national, and international stage. Her recent success includes organizing and traveling across the country to push Bill C-262, the Indigenous Human Rights Act. Passed by the House of Commons in 2018, the act is to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

As president of the Social Planning Council between 2011- 2015, Gazan organized and pushed policy in support of an end to poverty, addressing violence against women and girls, finding solutions for housing insecurity and homelessness, ensuring fair wages, community based actions addressing addictions, and proper supports for mental health. Serving on the Board of Governors of Red River College, Gazan focused her attention on prioritizing access to education and ensuring students had the proper supports they required to achieve success.

Gazan was a prominent Winnipeg lead during Idle No More, articulating the movement to the Winnipeg public. Gazan also cofounded the #WeCare campaign aimed at building public will to end violence against Indigenous women and girls.

Gazan is a member of Wood Mountain Lakota Nation, located in Saskatchewan, Treaty 4 territory.

Bloc Québécois

Louise Chabot

• Bloc Québécois
• Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Critic
• Thérèse-De Blainville
• Quebec

IRCC related interventions in Parliament:

• On March 12, 2020 during a HUMA meeting on committee business, the member moved the following motion, “That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on ways to improve the current pilot project for seasonal workers, which ends in May, and that this study include at least two meetings to hear from witnesses.”

Brief Biography

Louise Chabot, née en 1955 à Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse (Québec), est une syndicaliste et femme politique québécoise. Elle est présidente de la Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) de 2012 à 2018. Cette organisation représente à son départ près de 200 000 membres, dont 130 000 dans le secteur de l’éducation et de la petite enfance. Elle a coordonné un important projet de syndicalisation qui s’est traduit par le regroupement de plus de 15 000 responsables de services de garde en milieu familial, une première dans le monde syndical canadien. Le 21 octobre 2019, elle est élue députée fédérale de la circonscription de Thérèse-de-Blainville sous la bannière du Bloc québécois.