Bonnie Brown

[Division No. 245, October 22nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Atlantic groundfish strategy or TAGS was designed to ensure that individuals who had lost their livelihood and source of income could meet their basic human needs. On this score TAGS has been successful. Over 40,000 clients were provided with income support in a timely manner. The program has also been successful in helping some 15,000 fisher workers adjust out of the industry.

We realize that it will be a long time, if ever, before these fish stocks are returned. We realize that what fishers and their communities need are tools and programs to assist them to build new lives outside the fishery. Therefore on June 19, 1998 we announced an additional $730 million for a program called the fishery restructuring and adjustment measures. These measures include a final cash payment, licence retirement, early retirement benefits, mobility assistance, employment programming and wage subsidies.

To date we have approved in addition 145 term job creation projects in Newfoundland which will put 1,645 Canadians back to work. In Nova Scotia we have already approved six projects putting 78 Canadians back to work.

In closing I wish to assure the hon. member that the Government of Canada is not abandoning its responsibility for the people on the east coast. On the contrary this government is providing millions of dollars in funding to the east coast and Quebec to help these Canadians and communities adjust to the changing economy.

It is for this reason that the government remains committed to ensuring that all Canadians, including fishers and plant workers, can plan for their future.

[Criminal Code, October 20th, 1998]

Madam Speaker, the member's underlying question is an important one. Does employment insurance meet the needs of Canadians? This is a question that the government takes very seriously and this is why we welcomed the report published yesterday to which the member opposite refers.

On Monday the department issued its findings. Overall the study indicates that employment insurance does a good job of providing temporary help to unemployed Canadians in between jobs. That is what it was originally intended to do. We are not hiding behind the report. We are proud that 78% of unemployed workers who have lost their jobs or quit with just cause in the last year were eligible for employment insurance benefits.

While opposition parties keep repeating that the proportion of unemployed Canadians who qualify for EI is too low, the fact is that unemployed people not covered by EI can now get help through other programs, which they could not do before.

Some unemployed persons were never meant to be covered by EI at all. For example, self-employed Canadians have never been eligible. Those who have never worked or contributed to the program have never been eligible and those who have been without work for a long period of time have never been eligible.

The new study suggests that many Canadians find it difficult either to get a first job or to return to the workforce after a long period without work. These people need more from us than just an EI cheque to help get them by from week to week. They need the tools to help themselves. That is why we have consistently acted to help unemployed Canadians regardless of whether or not they were eligible for EI.

With the new system, even if some people do not qualify for benefits they can still get the help they need. We have more active employment measures to help people get skills. We ensure that anyone who qualified for EI in the last three years now does have access—

[Marriage Act, 1997, October 6th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada did move quickly to assist the British Canadian mine workers. In total we have granted some $4 million to help those laid off employees.

First in September 1997 we allocated close to $3 million for active measures to help the 300 or so affected workers quickly re-enter the labour market. Our active measures include targeted wage subsidies, self-employment assistance and skills development.

For instance in this case between 60 and 70 workers have found work at one of the other two mines run by Lab Chrysotile, the Bell mine or Lac d'Amiante du Canada. Approximately 60 others are interested in taking courses, 30 of whom are presently enrolled, with the other 30 starting in October. Seventeen have been placed by the Comité d'aide aux travailleurs de la mine B.C. through targeted wage subsidies. Three have started their own businesses, with another three being reviewed for possible funding. That is the first $3 million.

Last June the HRD minister also announced $1 million in funding under the program for older workers adjustment intended to help workers between 55 and 64 years of age. This measure will assist about 100 workers whose employment insurance benefits will soon be running out. But the provincial government has still not agreed to sign the POWA agreement to help these older workers. We hope that the Government of Quebec will respond positively and quickly so that we can begin to put these dollars in the hands of the 100 former miners who qualify.

The Government of Canada has responded responsibly to the British Canadian mine workers. We have put forward $4 million and a variety of programs to assist these Canadians through a difficult time.

[Women's History Month, October 2nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize women's history month. This October will be the seventh annual celebration of the past and current contributions of women to Canadian society and Canadian heritage. This year's theme is the Business of Women: An Evolving Story.

All across Canada women are becoming more involved in the small business sector. One-third of all small and medium enterprises are owned by women. That figure rises to 46% when one considers new small businesses. Women entrepreneurs are also creating new jobs at a higher rate than the rest of the small business sector.

This government supports women in the small business community. We will continue to listen to suggestions and look for solutions to help the cause of women in the Canadian business world.

[Employment Insurance, September 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, despite the member's protests we do agree with the auditor general's recommendations that came forward yesterday. As a matter of fact, we have co-operated with him in the production of information on which he based his report. We have already begun working on those recommendations.

One of the problems is that many of those persons who have the extra cards are deceased. Since the provinces are an important source of vital statistics such as death statistics we have been working with them and hope to work further with them in cleaning up the list and restoring the—

[Criminal Records Act, September 29th, 1998]

Madam Speaker, we are all concerned about unemployed workers in Atlantic Canada and we are working to improve their prospects. In response to the member's comments regarding access to EI, let me point out that nearly 80% of unemployed workers in New Brunswick receive EI benefits contrary to what the member continues to assert.

Second, I point out that the government is taking strong steps to help unemployed fishers and fish plant workers in Atlantic Canada. Rather than trying to set up temporary programs for those affected by the collapse of the fishery we are trying to give workers the tools and programs they need to get on with their lives. This summer we announced $730 million in fishery restructuring and adjustment measures for the Atlantic groundfishery. These measures include early retirement, active employment measures and economic development.

We also have the transitional jobs fund which has been very beneficial to Canadians living in areas of high unemployment. The transitional jobs fund has already created over 31,000 jobs. In New Brunswick alone we helped create over 2,300 jobs for New Brunswickers and we expect to create more.

Simply providing passive income support through regular EI benefits is not a sufficient response to the unemployment problem. That is why we have worked with the provinces and territories to develop labour market arrangements tailored to local and regional needs. These arrangements are aimed at providing real solutions for unemployed Canadians.

I wish to remind the member that we are transferring $228 million over three years to the Government of New Brunswick so that New Brunswickers can access programs that better respond to the particular labour market challenges of New Brunswick than was possible in the past. In addition, many social assistance recipients will have access to these programs.

This is just a highlight of the steps we have taken to help Atlantic Canadians and Canadians in the member's own province, and I can assure the House that we will continue in our efforts.

[Competition Act, September 22nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the government is very concerned about all issues involving persons with disabilities. We are equally concerned about client service because timely service is one of the fundamental responsibilities of Human Resources Development Canada.

With regard to the length of time to process CPP disability applications, it is important to point out that over the last decade there has been a dramatic increase in the number of applications. This rise was due to a number of factors, including changes in eligibility rules, referral of cases to us by private insurance companies, as well as some provincial social service departments.

This put a tremendous strain on departmental resources as well as on the CPP review tribunal and the pensions appeals board.

In his 1996 report the auditor general raised concerns about the rapid increase in CPP disability expenditures. As a result, changes to the administration of disability benefits were introduced to ensure that the benefits were granted only to those for whom they were originally intended.

Let me be clear. We are attacking the problem. We have already taken action. We have recruited and trained new staff and we have taken staff from other areas to address the workload. We have moved the first level of appeal to regional centres. This will reduce the time required to obtain correct information from clients.

We are also working with the administration of the CPP review tribunal and the pensions appeals board to improve service. For example, we have increased the number of judges and panel members in order to enable us to hold more hearings and to use a better scheduling system.

[Auto Pact, June 8th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the auto pact is the most successful trade deal Canada has ever signed and the most beneficial for Canadians.

Member companies employ in well paying full time jobs more than 65,000 workers. The suppliers of auto parts employ another 90,000 Canadians.

In 1996 auto pact companies exported vehicles totalling $45 billion. Last year Canada enjoyed a trade surplus of $13.5 billion with the United States. The automotive sector is Canada's number one export industry.

In my riding of Oakville the Ford Motor Company of Canada has its head office. Since 1990 Ford has invested almost $6 billion in production facilities in Canada. This large investment is concrete evidence of Ford's commitment to Canada

With worldwide overcapacity in the automotive industry looming and with mergers already announced, now is not the time to change our finished vehicle tariff regime and threaten the auto pact.

[Employment Insurance, May 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians in my riding support the new EI system because they know it is fairer and more in step with today's job market. Its hours based system better reflects the way people work and now protects many workers not covered under the old system. It helps those most in need through active measures which help them get back to work and improve their skills, through income supplements for families with children and low income earners and through two special funds, an $800 million investment in re-employment benefits and a $300 million transitional jobs fund for areas of high unemployment.

Because of these facts, I call on my colleagues to think twice before they criticize this revised program which is helping unemployed Canadians cope with the world of work in the information society of today.

[National Nursing Week, May 15th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to remind members of the House and all Canadians that this week, May 11 to 17, is National Nursing Week. The theme is “Nursing is the Key” which appropriately emphasizes the pivotal role that nurses play in delivering quality health care to all Canadians.

This year, 1998, marks the 90th anniversary of the Canadian Nurses Association. This association has consistently worked to advance the quality of nursing by promoting high standards of practice, education and research.

There are now over 200,000 nurses practising in Canada. Please join me in recognizing their committed caring service to Canadians.

To the nurses of Canada I want to say, we salute you and we thank you.