Debates of Sept. 26th, 2012

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order. The hon. member for Vancouver--Quadra.

Joyce Murray Vancouver Quadra, BC

Mr. Speaker, the minister obviously did not understand the first time.

This is Right to Know Week, which is about promoting transparency. However, the government has chosen to mark the occasion by being secretive. It is refusing to provide information about cuts to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, and it is refusing to disclose the true cost of the F-35.

When will Canadians have access to the information that, as taxpayers, they are entitled to receive?

Tony Clement President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, we will continue to report to Parliament in the usual ways, including the estimates, quarterly financial reports and the review of public accounts. We are keeping our promise to be accountable to the House.

We continue to have that kind of accountability. It is the normal course to report on these things and we will continue to do so.

We are spending money to benefit the people of Canada and we will continue to do so.

Christian Paradis Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture)

Mr. Speaker, as I said, we will always act in the best interests of the country. The Liberal Party, Mr. Canada, never turned any single deal in the country.

Christian Paradis Mégantic—L'Érable, QC

Once again, I am passionate here, Mr. Speaker, because these guys are trying to say that we are not working in the interests of the country. However, I can say that this transaction will be scrutinized very closely.

Anne-Marie Day Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development made a comment that demonstrated this government's contempt for people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

She said, “...when they do work, they will always be better off than when they do not.”

The minister does not care that people lose 50% of their benefits if they compensate for their loss of earnings by working one or two days a week. The minister believes that, as long as they are earning something, it is not her problem.

Is this all the consideration that the minister has for unemployed workers?

Diane Finley Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development

Mr. Speaker, we want to help people find work when they lose their jobs and that is what we will do. However, we will also encourage them and give them money if they work while they are receiving benefits.

For example, Tracy, who receives $264 a week in employment insurance benefits, works three days a week and earns $12 an hour. Before, she would have been able to keep $106, but now she can keep $144.

We are here to help unemployed workers.

Philip Toone Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is just as we thought. The Conservatives do not have any consideration for unemployed workers.

The chair of the regional conference of elected officials in my region, the Gaspé, said that 80% of that region's economy depends on seasonal workers.

What does the minister's reform involve? Is she suggesting that fishers from Rivière-au-Renard fish all year? There are not enough fish in the sea to fish that long.

She is attacking restaurant owners in Percé. Should they stay open all year too? There are no tourists in Percé in the winter.

She is attacking forestry workers in Chandler. These people will have no choice but to leave the area.

Why are the Conservatives going after the Gaspé?

Diane Finley Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development

Mr. Speaker, that is completely false. If seasonal workers cannot find another job, then employment insurance will be there for them, as it always has been. However, if they can find work, they will be better off than if they were not working.

Yvon Godin Acadie—Bathurst, NB

Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe what we are hearing.

It is not just the Gaspé that is being attacked.

Alain Cormier and his wife, two of my constituents who work at the Village Historique Acadien, learned that a pilot project that added five weeks of unemployment in their area ended on September 15, 2012. This means that neither he nor his wife will have a damned penny to pay their bills in the spring of 2013.

And they are not alone. All seasonal workers will suffer the same fate.

Why will the minister not extend the pilot project? In the spring, they will not have a damned penny to their names to pay their bills.

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

I heard a word that I believe is unacceptable. I hope the hon. member will clarify this after question period.