Human Resources Committee on May 13th, 2009

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

I would like to thank all of you for appearing today. I have one or two comments to make.

With respect to job creation, I fully agree with what has just been said. As we all know, the jobs that have recently been created are primarily among the self-employed or people working in small business. Which actually means that real jobs are not being created. The individuals who were laid off created their own jobs, although we do not know for how long. Obviously, when you are unemployed, you are prepared to do anything it takes to try and develop some kind of work with the little money you may have in the bank. I am speaking from experience here. So, you try to start up your own little business, and that is what has been happening. So, the fact that the numbers have dropped—and there, I completely agree with what Ms. Boucher just said—is in no way an indication, in my view, that the Canadian or Quebec economy is starting to recover. As far as I am concerned, that is not at all the case.

Second, I would like to support the comment—and I am going to be partisan here, since others have already opened that door—made by Ms. Minna. I would like to remind all of you that Bills C-6 and C-10 were part of the budget, and we had a very strong sense—it was actually more than just a sense—that the people of Canada did not want another election. Thirty million dollars would have had to be spent in the midst of an economic crisis. So, we voted the way we did. Ms. Minna very correctly pointed out that our leader and ourselves, Ms. Minna and myself, said on the record that when the Liberals return to office, this issue will be resolved the Liberal way.

So, I would like to thank you all for being here today.

Mr. Lessard, would you like to add something?

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Yes.

Madam Chair, you just made a clarification. With your permission—

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

Yes, but please be brief, Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Madam Chair, with your permission, I would like to make one clarification. The truth has its rights. I believe inaccurate information was given by Mr. Komarnicki earlier. I find that particularly offensive, considering the accuracy and rigour of Ms. Gibeau's testimony this morning.

We are constantly hearing it said that 80% of unemployed people receive employment insurance. But that is not correct. The Department's own figures contradict that assertion. Simply repeating a falsehood does not make it true. I want people to know that, if you look on the Department's website, you will see, unless it has been taken off, specific information—

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

Mr. Lobb has a point of order. I have to let him raise his point of order, Mr. Lessard. Sorry.

[Ben Lobb, Conservative, Huron—Bruce, ON]

On a point of order, Madame Folco, when I had done my five minutes, you indicated to me that the meeting had come to a close. You were going to conclude with your comments. I think that would be appropriate at this point in time.

If Mr. Lessard would like to do a partisan rant, I would welcome him to do it outside after this meeting.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

Mr. Lessard, I believe I have no choice but to hear from Mr. Lobb. The point you are raising has already been discussed. I invite everyone here to take a look at the website, Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

I want to finish what I was saying, Madam Chair.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

No, Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

I won't be long. I could have demanded that we complete the second round; we did start it.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

Mr. Lessard, we have already exceeded our time. We have noted the point you just raised. I invite everyone—

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Madam Chair, you said that we would end the meeting at 12:15 p.m., but it is only noon.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

That is true. In that case, please be brief, Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

I have five minutes, Madam Chair.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

How much?

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

I am entitled to five minutes.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

No, Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

My colleague had five minutes.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

Mr. Lessard, if you use five minutes, I will have to do a third round.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

No, we are still on the second round, Madam Chair. We have not completed it yet.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

Mr. Komarnicki.

[Ed Komarnicki, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

I think, in fairness, the way we proceeded was to have the first round of seven minutes, the second round of five and five. You were hoping to conclude by 12 o'clock and that didn't appear possible, but it is now possible.

Allowing Mr. Lessard to rant and make accusations that, in my opinion, are totally false is not something I wish to hear and put up with it. Let's set the record straight.

I think, Madam Chair, when you referred to the issue of being partisan, you would do well to follow your own instruction. For the afternoon, we should probably all refrain from that. This is nothing more than political grandstanding on the backs of those who are most vulnerable, really. I think that should desist. There's no point to it. We disagree, and we should agree to disagree.

I think the meeting has ended. You've prevented the continuation of questioning, but now you're allowing political rhetoric of the worst kind.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

I am obliged—

I said the meeting would end at 12:15 p.m., and it is not yet 12:15 p.m. On the second round, both the Liberals and the Conservatives had turns. A Bloc Québécois member has asked for the floor, and I have no choice but to allow him to speak.

Mr. Lessard, you have four minutes.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair. I should normally have five minutes, as we had agreed.

[The Vice-Chair, Liberal, Raymonde Folco]

You already used up one minute of your time.