Jane Stewart

[Human Resources Development, September 23rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, what I will confirm is that the Auditor General herself, and himself before, came in and looked at our plan and said that we were on track. We continue to ensure it is implemented.

I would also remind the hon. member that the point in question is about individual wrongdoing and that the department has already taken swift and severe disciplinary action up to and including firing. He would not want to engage in continued speculation because I am sure he wants the police to complete its investigation and get all the facts.

[Human Resources Development Canada, September 19th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, with specific reference to that question, I can tell the hon. member that the department contracted work to be done by a company called MaxSys under competitively tendered standing offers established by Public Works and Government Services Canada in the year 2001.

MaxSys provided the services of Paul Cochrane to conduct the human resources work. However, when a firm is contracted to supply services to the department, Public Works and Government Services Canada does ensure that the contractor personnel are security screened to the appropriate level.

[Human Resources Development Canada, September 19th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member can continue to engage in speculation but he knows there is an ongoing police investigation. He knows that the Department of Human Resources Development Canada is co-operating with the police. He knows that the department has already taken severe disciplinary action up to and including firing. He knows that I will not be sharing any more details with him because I do not want to jeopardize this ongoing investigation.

[Employment Insurance, September 16th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's question gives me the opportunity again to recognize that the government has doubled parental benefits, not only providing benefits for Canadian mothers but also for Canadian fathers.

As well, we find that the employment insurance system, by moving to an hours based program, allows more women to be eligible for employment insurance.

We also find that more women are working and, in fact, as a result of the increased jobs in our strong economy, women are working and bringing home employment wages to help support themselves and their families.

[Government Assistance, September 16th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am very sensitive to the devastating impact that these fires have had on individuals in the Okanagan. I am happy today to tell the hon. member that the employment insurance commission has agreed to make more flexible the work sharing provisions so that those businesses that have been affected can ensure they can continue and that their employees can continue to go to work.

In that context I would remind the hon. member that there is no two week waiting period associated with work sharing.

[Human Resources Development, September 16th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I take full responsibility to work with the police to ensure that those who are cheating the system are caught and that the full impact of the law is placed on them.

As I said yesterday, the police have asked us not to share any further details so as not to jeopardize their investigation. Surely the hon. member would want to make sure that all charges are laid as appropriate.

[Human Resources Development, September 16th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps I will just take this opportunity to remind the hon. member of what we have done.

We received information from the police that some of our employees might be involved in an investigation. At that point we conducted our own investigation. We examined our files. We called in forensic auditors. We called in the RCMP. We have taken severe disciplinary action, including firing.

It is our obligation to make sure that those who choose to work outside the rules face the consequences, and that is what we are doing here.

[National Child Benefit, September 15th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to present today two copies, in both official languages, of the National Child Benefit Progress Report: 2002.

[Employment Insurance, September 15th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad the hon. member recognizes the work this government has undertaken in support of seasonal workers in this particular area of the country as well as in New Brunswick.

We have seen, as a result of these transitional measures, communities coming together to create and diversify their economies to provide new employment for those who need it. I am glad these transitional measures have worked, as well as other programs we have put in place to expand the seasons in the forestry industry, in the fishery and in tourism.

[Employment Insurance, September 15th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member makes reference to a CLC document. In its calculations, it is counting individuals for whom the employment insurance system is not designed, employees that have never been employed, those who have not paid premiums, those who were in school or who were formerly self-employed.

As I have said on a number of occasions in the House, the monitoring and assessment report clearly indicates that close to 90% of those for whom the program is designed would be eligible should they need employment insurance benefits.