Paule Brunelle, "Pay Equity" on Feb. 23rd, 2005

Human Resources
Oral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mr. Speaker, this Liberal government does not consider siblings to be part of a family. A 43 year old Langley woman is dying. Her sister has left her home and job to care for the sister but has been denied compassionate care benefits. We gave the Minister of Human Resources a chance to do the right thing but she refused. It is shameful.

Before it is too late, will the Prime Minister do the right thing? Will he stop dithering, help keep families together and provide compassionate care for siblings?

Human Resources
Oral Question Period

3 p.m.

Westmount—Ville-Marie
Québec

Liberal

Lucienne Robillard President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada

Mr. Speaker, I think we have to be proud that our government put forward this compassionate care leave for the people in our society. I think it was the first time it had been done in our country. We do believe that after one year of experience it is time to evaluate the program and perhaps bring about some improvements.

Pay Equity
Oral Question Period

February 23rd, 2005 / 3 p.m.

Bloc

Paule Brunelle Trois-Rivières, QC

Mr. Speaker, women who work full time still earn 71% of what men do. This gap is even wider if the woman is aboriginal, from an ethnocultural community or disabled. In June 2001, the government set up a pay equity working group co-chaired by the Ministers of Justice and Labour.

When does the government intend to implement the recommendations of the working group, which submitted its report in May 2004?

Pay Equity
Oral Question Period

3 p.m.

Jeanne-Le Ber
Québec

Liberal

Liza Frulla Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, obviously the status of women is something that is very important to us. We are currently working on implementing the report on pay equity. Furthermore, we also have a gender analysis that even helped shape today's budget, which is a first.

Citizenship and Immigration
Oral Question Period

3 p.m.

Liberal

Lui Temelkovski Oak Ridges—Markham, ON

Mr. Speaker, last week we heard from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in regard to the 2,000 Vietnamese boat people who remain in the Philippines.

I know that he mentioned the difficulties involved in remedying this situation, but given the role that Canada plays in welcoming refugees and the great contribution the Vietnamese Canadian community has made to this country, surely something can be done. Just what is the government prepared to do?

Citizenship and Immigration
Oral Question Period

3 p.m.

Eglinton—Lawrence
Ontario

Liberal

Joe Volpe Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his ongoing concern. He and members of the Liberal caucus have done their utmost to make sure that this issue has stayed front and centre.

I am pleased to announce that what the Government of Canada will do is join three other countries in ensuring that these individuals and families who are currently stateless will have the opportunity to join siblings and others who will sponsor them here from Canada. Provided that they pass the usual security clearances, we will have an opportunity to accommodate them together with their families and those who sponsor them from within the Canadian community.

Deportation of Acadians
Oral Question Period

3 p.m.

Bloc

Stéphane Bergeron Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC

Mr. Speaker, this year is the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the Acadian deportation. The Queen will find the time to visit Saskatchewan and Alberta to mark the 100th anniversary of their entry into the Canadian federation, but she will not have the time to go to Acadia. Given the British Crown's heavy responsibility in these tragic events, an apology seems only natural.

Does the Minister of Canadian Heritage intend to intervene again with the Queen in order to specifically ask that she go to Acadia to do what needs to be done with regard to the Acadian people?

Deportation of Acadians
Oral Question Period

3 p.m.

Jeanne-Le Ber
Québec

Liberal

Liza Frulla Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, I think that we have done what needed to be done, particularly to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Acadia. It is important to understand that even if I wanted to, I do not control the Queen's agenda. If Buckingham Palace says no, unfortunately, my authority does not extend to England.

Industry
Oral Question Period

3 p.m.

NDP

Charlie Angus Timmins—James Bay, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Industry has never come across a Canadian job he did not think would be better done overseas.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government continues with its plans to buy up the mines and smelters of Noranda Falconbridge and this Liberal government has no plan for the fact that the Chinese government is nationalizing our resources.

What steps has the Minister of Industry put in place to ensure that the interests of the mining towns in northern Canada are protected if this Minmetals deal goes through?

Industry
Oral Question Period

3 p.m.

Vancouver Kingsway
B.C.

Liberal

David Emerson Minister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, under the Investment Canada Act we will review such a transaction and we will ensure that undertakings are in place to protect workers and to protect Canadian interests.