Claudette Bradshaw

[Occupational Accidents, April 28th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, occupational accidents and disease continue to be a very serious problem in Canada.

In 1997, accidents on the job resulted in over 817 deaths and 800,000 injuries. I am concerned by the number of accidents occurring at Canadian workplaces and their harmful effects on the families concerned.

In order to remedy the situation, I intend to table an amendment, shortly, to the Canada Labour Code for which I seek your support and that of all members of this House.

[The Homeless, April 23rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to inform the hon. member that I am not the minister for the homeless.

I am the Minister of Labour and the Prime Minister has asked me to examine federal programs with a view to finding solutions to the problems of the homeless.

I also wish to inform the hon. member that I intend to meet with the mayor of Montreal to see exactly what sort of program he would like, and how federal programs can help.

[Labour, April 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. We are now at our lowest point in strike activities in the past 20 years.

Ten per cent of the federal labour market is under the Canada Labour Code. Last year 95% of the disputes were settled without a strike or a lockout. Every Canadian should congratulate employees, employers and unions.

[Poverty, March 24th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have a lot of respect for the member opposite, because she has worked very hard for the poor.

Homelessness is a national problem. It is true that I will be going to Toronto tomorrow. We took part in a symposium on Dr. Golden's report. I believe it is important for me to go tomorrow to discuss these issues. I will also be going to Vancouver to have a look at our programs there. I intend to travel throughout Canada, not just to Toronto.

[Homelessness, March 24th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member from my province of New Brunswick, I realize, is very concerned about poverty and homelessness. I am a little surprised with his question.

I have lived with homelessness every day of my life for 30 years. I have been with these people every day of my life for 30 years and I want to assure everybody in Canada that I am in this for the long run and I am in this to work with Canadian people to find the right solutions so that every child in Canada will have a safe bed to sleep in.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, that is not what I said. I said that there were issues on the table other than funding.

The mediators are speaking to both groups. Let us allow the process to work in the hope that a new collective agreement will be negotiated sooner rather than later.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have good news on the CBC front. The technicians have been meeting with a mediator since last Monday and are still talking. The media guild has now asked for a mediator and one has been provided.

I would ask the hon. member to accept the procedure that is in place. Both parties are speaking and we hope they will go back to work soon. It is not only a funding issue. There are other issues on the table that are more than just funding.

[Canada Labour Code, March 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, when the government decided to modernize the Canada Labour Code, it chose to consult union organizations and groups of employees that are under federal jurisdiction. This led to a reform of the federal labour legislation that is based on a consensus between management and the unions.

I would like to congratulate all those who have contributed to that reform and I reiterate the government's commitment to free collective bargaining and constructive settlement of disputes.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the mediators I appointed have been meeting with the employers and the union of CBC since Monday. This is very encouraging for us. I urge both parties to continue meeting so that they can negotiate a good collective agreement and we can put an end to this work stoppage.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there is a labour dispute at CBC because the employer and the union have been unable to reach an agreement on the terms and conditions of employment. It has nothing to do with funding.

Whenever there is a strike at CBC it affects services. We regret that, but the mediators are there waiting for them to call and we are willing to meet with them at any time.