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Komarnicki expects lively committee debates

It's a vital committee for the Canadian government and Souris-Moose Mountain MP Ed Komarnicki is now its chairman.
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Souris-Moose Mountain MP Ed Komarnicki.


It's a vital committee for the Canadian government and Souris-Moose Mountain MP Ed Komarnicki is now its chairman.

Komarnicki was selected to lead the proceedings of the Standing Committee of Human Resources and Skills Committee in the House of Commons in mid-June.

Komarnicki told The Mercury in a telephone interview that he was the only remaining member from the previous committee that will now have seven Conservative members serving on it along with four New Democratic Party representatives and one Liberal member.

"I know two of the NDP members and the appointed Liberal member and have worked with them before on other issues, so I expect we'll be able to make some progress. My approach is to try to build a consensus and we've had some agreements around the table in the past and we did it with a Conservative minority position. now we have the majority of votes at the table so if the others try to play games, I guess we can use the majority advantage, but really, we've had a good working relationship in the committee before and I expect we can accomplish that again," he said.

Komarnicki has served on the committee as a Conservative member for three years. He said the agenda was set by the consensus of the sitting members who will be required to look at proposed legislation items as they relate to human resources and skill developments before the legislation goes to the House of Commons for legislative consideration.

"We're looking to go forward in a number of areas such as the file for temporary foreign workers and skills upgrading and training," he said.

Employment insurance changes were being contemplated prior to the break for the spring campaign, so he expects that subject will find its way back to the table when the committee reconvenes.

Komarnicki said he figures the introductory period for the new members will go quickly and while this is his first experience as chairman, he feels he can do a fair job since he knows how the committee systems work and having a Conservative majority will help move some files forward more quickly.

Matters of the economy and how they relate to human resources, will get priority, he said.

The local MP said his group will also find itself working in lockstep with others, such as the committee that will deal with immigration. Labour market opinions will be sought as the government works toward making it more efficient for foreign workers to gain temporary permits before applying for permanent residency, for instance.

"The Saskatchewan nominee program for example is an excellent one that gets the job done to the point that our only concerns regarding applicants are security and health," he said. The nominee program sets the stage for a foreign worker to eventually apply for a permanent position.

"The Saskatchewan program has really taken off and it helps direct skilled workers our way. Landed immigrant programs eventually allow the successful applicants to bring in other skilled family members. It's designed for people and we know there will still be skilled labour shortages, so we're trying to assist those who can feed the local initiatives," he said.

Komarnicki said he was pleased to see that about 1,800 immigrants who had not adhered to the rules were being sent home for defying the regulations set out for them prior to their arrival.

"It's easy enough to come into Canada right now. We have to send the message that there are consequences if you don't do it right. Yes, we understand some are arriving with useful skills, but if they aren't willing to do it by the rules, we'll be sending them back home," he said.

Komarnicki said the committee met just once before this latest Parliamentary session concluded and they efficiently used that time to set up their procedural rules.

"The committee will deal with government legislation, private members bills and other matters within the jurisdiction of the committee once the session resumes in the fall and I look forward to some lively discussions when we return," Komarnicki said in conclusion.