Scott Reid, "Employment Insurance" on Dec. 6th, 2002

Employment Insurance
Oral Question Period

December 6th, 2002 / noon

Canadian Alliance

Scott Reid Lanark—Carleton, ON

Mr. Speaker, a year ago when I pointed out that employment insurance payments were taking six to eight weeks to reach laid off workers in eastern Ontario, the minister promised that her department would soon meet its four week promise of performance.

A year later things are worse, not better. Laid off workers have to wait as much as eight weeks. A local weekly reports that one young woman has been forced to survive on social assistance payments of $50 a month while waiting for benefits to which she is legally entitled.

The Liberal government has never been shy about extracting EI premiums from eastern Ontario. Why will the government not devote the manpower needed to pay out timely EI benefits?

Employment Insurance
Oral Question Period

Noon

Brant
Ontario

Liberal

Jane Stewart Minister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, it is a priority for us to ensure that benefits that are in place are in the hands of recipients. We have continued to focus on the challenges before us.

The hon. member can rest assured that the department is following these requirements on a weekly basis and doing its very best to make sure that these important benefits are in the hands of individuals.

If he has an individual case he would like me to look at I would be pleased to do that on his behalf.

Airline Industry
Oral Question Period

Noon

Bloc

Serge Cardin Sherbrooke, QC

Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of September 11, the Minister of Transport approved the introduction of an $24 airport security tax. This tax was included in the most recent budget, tabled in December 2001.

He stated at the time that he would review his decision to keep this tax, based on its relevancy. Since then, the airline industry has said unanimously that this tax is a burden that is causing them considerable damage.

Will the Minister of Transport yield to the demands of the industry, which is asking loud and clear for him to honour his word and withdraw the airport security tax—

Airline Industry
Oral Question Period

Noon

The Deputy Speaker

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance.

Airline Industry
Oral Question Period

Noon

Oak Ridges
Ontario

Liberal

Bryon Wilfert Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, the minister is listening to the industry. In fact, the minister has indicated that until the end of this month he is taking representations on this particular issue. He will report back at an appropriate time. We are looking at all of the information.

It is a concern, particularly to the members on this side of the House. We have addressed the issue in the past. We have said that we will make sure that it is in the best interests of Canadians.

First and foremost, however, public security while travelling on aircraft is very important to the government.

Points of Order
Oral Question Period

Noon

Liberal

Jacques Saada Brossard—La Prairie, QC

Mr. Speaker, during oral question period, the member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot called the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food a liar out loud several times. This language is unparliamentary.

Thanks to the very firm stance taken by the member for Shefford and the entire Quebec caucus on this issue, the minister is making every effort to solve the problem of the École de médecine vétérinaire de Saint-Hyacinthe. The member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot may or may not agree on how things are happening, but that does not give him the right to make this type of unfounded and unparliamentary accusation.

Mr. Speaker, there is no room in this House for insults. I would kindly ask him to withdraw his comments immediately.

Points of Order
Oral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

I must say that even with the great din, I very clearly heard the comments attributed to the hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot by the government deputy House leader.

I am sure the hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot is well aware of my respect for him. We must all demonstrate this same collective respect for our parliamentary institution.

In the spirit of cooperation, I would ask the hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot to withdraw the word liar.

Points of Order
Oral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

An hon. member

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order.

Points of Order
Oral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

No, I am dealing with the matter raised by the deputy whip of the government. I have asked the member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot to respond to what has been raised and to what I heard clearly. In the best spirit of the House, in the spirit of cooperation and respect for our institution, I ask the hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot to withdraw the word “menteur”.

The hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot.

Points of Order
Oral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

Bloc

Yvan Loubier Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC

Mr. Speaker, I will not allow lies to justify sabotage. When it comes to the interests of Quebec, of the Francophonie and of Saint-Hyacinthe, I will not keep quiet in the House when faced with bald-faced lies that have lasted for several months, in the case of the École de médecine vétérinaire de Saint-Hyacinthe.

Points of Order
Oral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

It is not the role of the Chair to rule on the passion, devotion or enthusiasm a member may display on an issue that affects his riding a great deal. Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with the situation.

Clearly, in the context of what occurred during oral question period, the word liar is unparliamentary.

I ask the member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot to reconsider and to withdraw the word liar.

Points of Order
Oral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

Bloc

Yvan Loubier Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, one of Quebec's and the Francophonie's most important institutions will begin to lose credibility because of the inertia of the federal government, which has given preferential treatment to three other schools of veterinary medicine in Canada and tarnished the reputation of the École de médecine vétérinaire de Saint-Hyacinthe. Starting Monday, the government will be sending out the signal that the École de médecine vétérinaire de Saint-Hyacinthe has no future, and I find this unacceptable. The members opposite have been fibbing for months now—

Naming of Member
Oral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

Mr. Loubier, I must name you for disregarding the authority of the Chair.

Pursuant to the powers vested in me under Standing Order 11, I order you to withdraw from the House for the remainder of today's sitting.

[Editor's note: And Mr. Loubier having withdrawn]

Naming of Member
Oral Question Period

12:10 p.m.

Canadian Alliance

Stockwell Day Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would request unanimous approval from the House to agree with a motion that states: That in the opinion of this House, the terrorist group known as Hezbollah has committed untold horror on the lives of innocent people; That this group represents a security threat to Canada and its allies; That the Foreign Affairs Minister acknowledged yesterday that Hezbollah is not governed by civilized conduct;And that the Solicitor General of Canada should therefore recommend to the Governor in Council that Hezbollah, including all of its various factions, be added to the list established under section 83.05 of the Criminal Code--

Naming of Member
Oral Question Period

12:10 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

That is certainly not a point of order, with the greatest of respect. I will go so far as to ask if there would be unanimous consent to propose such a motion?

Debates of Dec. 6th, 2002

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