Human Resources committee  As to numbers on transportation issues, we have some data that can speak to the number of Canadians who cite inaccessibility of transportation as a barrier and a problem they confront. In general, these programs are within either provincial or municipal jurisdictions, and so we

Human Resources committee  Thank you for that question. It's what we call--and I'm afraid it's the jargon that Ms. Brown doesn't like--episodic disabilities. We do have a program gap there, completely. Employers don't have any way of keeping those people in the labour market. Those are the people we lose

Human Resources committee  I'll ask Nancy Lawand to speak to that.

Human Resources committee  I'm going to pass this off, I think, to both, perhaps, of my colleagues from PSHRMAC. I know that on the opportunities fund we're oversubscribed and have wait lists, but we're not for the others.

Human Resources committee  One thing we're trying to do a better job of is sorting out the roles and responsibilities. Right now, while the federal government largely provides some income support for people with disabilities through the pension plan and tax benefits, we also do a bit of programming that pr

Human Resources committee  Yes. We have results of assessments showing that the program works very well, according to standards for programs of this type.

Human Resources committee  We have about 5,500 clients per year, and 30 or 35 of them secure employment. There are 1,500.... Actually, my problem is I'm doing the math in my head. Maybe 1,500 or 2,000 people each year find employment through the opportunities fund.

Human Resources committee  It's been actually increasing, because our ability to run this program has improved over time. The performance wasn't very different from what it is now, but we've been doing a much better job of actually using all the funds and getting it out to many individuals. What's been inc

Human Resources committee  It's not that it was too much money; it was more that we didn't have the systems in place to be able to deliver the programs. It took us a few years. Perhaps because it took us a few years, people thought that perhaps we didn't need the money, but we are using all of those funds

Human Resources committee  If you ask any program person whether a program should be bigger, we will always say yes, I'm afraid, so I will give you that boring answer--yes, I think we could use more money there. On the other hand, perhaps there are other ways of delivering the program. We are currently loo

Human Resources committee  No.

Human Resources committee  Yes.

Human Resources committee  No. I can assure you that no programs explicitly targeted for people with disabilities were cut. But I don't know whether the cuts affect people who deal with persons with disabilities.

Human Resources committee  There were cuts yesterday, if I may--

Human Resources committee  Our job is to make it simple. One thing we can do is raise awareness about the issues, because if we do that, there is a lot to be gained. There we have some survey work that says people are uncomfortable with people with disabilities. The finance minister has appointed an exper