House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2011, with 26% of the vote.
Employment Insurance April 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, there are 295,000 fewer jobs since last October, and this morning Bombardier announced another 1,000 layoffs.
There are people behind those numbers, people in need, young families without incomes and with unpaid mortgages. Two weeks more benefits at the beginning can make all the difference.
Is the government aware that its inaction is making the crisis worse?
Employment Insurance April 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Revenue is creating confusion by comparing the five extra weeks of benefits and the abolition of the waiting period. Abolition of the waiting period does not mean abandoning the addition of the five extra weeks. One measure does not cancel out the other, as the minister knows full well.
Instead of cultivating ambiguity, can the Minister of National Revenue not understand that the crisis is with us now and targeted measures, such as abolishing the waiting period, are needed now to help the unemployed while at the same time stimulating the economy?
Employment Insurance April 1st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, only a small number of the unemployed will benefit from an additional five weeks at the end of their benefit period whereas 100% of the unemployed will benefit from the elimination of the waiting period. Furthermore, the two measures are not mutually exclusive.
How can the government defend a measure that leaves the unemployed reeling and without financial resources for two weeks at a time when they need it most
Employment Insurance April 1st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, Canada's GDP has shrunk for the sixth consecutive month providing confirmation, as though we needed it, that we are in a recession. The OECD forecasts that Canada's unemployment rate could reach 10.5% next year and is asking that more be done, especially in the way of income support for laid-off workers.
What will it take for the government to realize that, if it were to eliminate the employment insurance waiting period, it could help not only workers who are laid off but the economy as well?
Employment Insurance March 31st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the OECD says that Canada is not doing enough. It says that unemployment will increase dramatically between 2010 and 2011. Therefore the social safety net has to be improved and reinforced.
Does the government not think that eliminating the waiting period might be a good way to provide assistance to the unemployed, and also to jump start the economy?
Employment Insurance March 31st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, it is true that the two week waiting period has existed since 1971. However, what the Minister of National Revenue, another token Quebecker, does not say is that workers did not pay premiums if they did not qualify for the plan, something which was changed by the Liberals in January 1997. Since then, premiums have been paid from the first hour worked, but the waiting period has not been eliminated.
Instead of coming to the defence of the Liberals, should not the token Quebecker for revenue instead be working for justice, to get rid of the waiting period?
Employment Insurance March 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, can the minister put herself in the shoes of an unemployed worker in a region where the unemployment rate is sky-high and there are no jobs? Denying her income for two weeks is just plain cruel.
Does the minister not agree that it is her duty to help that unemployed worker and thousands more by eliminating the waiting period?
Employment Insurance March 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said that he does not plan to do anything more to tackle the economic crisis. Economists tell us that the cash flow crisis is paralyzing the system. Eliminating the waiting period is one way to put cash directly into people's hands so they can pay their bills and boost consumption.
When will the government finally realize that eliminating the waiting period would kill two birds with one stone by providing immediate cash to the unemployed and stimulating the economy?
Fighting Poverty March 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, this is the last national action week of the mobilization campaign launched over a year ago by the Collectif pour un Québec sans pauvreté, a coalition dedicated to building a poverty-free Quebec. This week's theme is “Poverty? We've had enough!”
The driving force behind the extraordinary public and social mobilization that led to the Government of Quebec passing framework legislation to eradicate poverty, this coalition is relentless in its efforts to make Quebec a world leader in that regard.
We know that the economic crisis is not affecting only Bay Street; thousands of Quebeckers who were already struggling before the crisis hit are very severely affected. The coalition is once again standing up for these people, and we must applaud their initiatives.
Today, I want to congratulate the coalition for its determination and unifying leadership which brings together people from all walks of life to take meaningful action for the collective good. May they be an inspiration to all of us.
Employment March 13th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, adding five weeks to the end of the benefit period is not good enough because it will not benefit all claimants.
Does the minister agree with the Bloc Québécois that eliminating the unjust and unjustifiable two-week waiting period would be the best way to help claimants who certainly need help during these tough times?