Human Resources Committee on Feb. 10th, 2009

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

It's true, we're negotiating with the Government of Quebec. We've been doing that for a long time now. I'm happy to say that we have made progress. Of course, there are always conditions when we grant funding. One of those conditions is accountability and the requirement to report on progress. This is taxpayers' money. It is important to consider taxpayers' interests and to ensure that the money goes where it is supposed to go. We are currently in negotiations, and I am confident that an agreement will soon be reached.

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

Why would there be accountability specifically on this matter when this kind of accountability is not usually required when transfers are made?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

There are certain types of transfers under these programs that require accountability. That's the responsible way of acting for taxpayers.

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

From what I know, only the accountability issues remain to be resolved, and the amounts are already agreed upon. Is that correct?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

That's part of the negotiations. We don't want to conduct them publicly because that would help no one.

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

So you don't want to answer that.

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

It's because of the negotiations. We're about to reach an agreement, and I wouldn't want to jeopardize that.

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

Now let's talk about the Enabling Accessibility Fund of the Office for Disability Issues. That fund has a $10 million budget. How many projects were approved last year? What are those projects funded by the Enabling Accessibility Fund of the Office for Disability Issues?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

There were two new types of projects. There were major projects and small projects. There were two major projects and roughly 83...

[An hon. member]

More than 100.

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

There were more than 100 small projects across the country.

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

They were approved?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Yes.

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

Why has your office refused to answer our questions on the subject?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Did you ask questions? When? What were they?

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

The Bloc research department has been asking questions on the subject for two weeks , and we have yet to receive any answers.

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

I wasn't aware of that; I apologize.

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

Perhaps you could solve the problem. That would prevent us from having to take the time here with you when we could be getting the answers elsewhere.

May we have a list of the projects that have been approved, Minister?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

It's a public list, isn't it?

[An hon. member]

Yes.

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Yes.

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

For both types of programs?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Yes.

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

Thank you very much.

Now I'd like to talk about the Housing Act. I refer you to page 192. More than $210 million has been authorized for advances under the National Housing Act. It appears these funds have not been used.

Are we to understand that these amounts were intended for tax deductions for aboriginal housing?

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Pardon me, but we're checking our notes.