Finance Committee on Sept. 27th, 2010

[Hans Cunningham]

Okay, and you've asked me for my opinion. My opinion is that the communities are working flat out to get these things done by the stimulus date. The program generally has been a success, in our view, because it has provided employment and it has provided needed work on infrastructure, and so far, so good.

With regard to the date you referred to, communities across the country are trying their best, but there are some things beyond their control--the recent hurricane in Newfoundland, for example, or the flooding in the prairies. I think words with regard to reasonableness of the final date would certainly go a long way in assuring the communities.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

What would be your solution to try to have that date extended?

[Hans Cunningham]

I'm afraid you're beyond my level of expertise with regard to solutions on that. We have been speaking with the federal government and have said that where necessary we would like some type of reasonableness with regard to that date. Again, I imagine those discussions would have to continue.

Gabe, could you perhaps answer?

[Gabe Miller, Director, Federation of Canadian Municipalities]

Sure.

My name is Gabriel Miller. I work with President Cunningham.

Our position with the government has been very clear. Where projects require flexibility due to factors that are beyond local control, federal and provincial governments have the responsibility to work with that community, take stock of exactly where the project is at, and, if necessary, provide flexibility on the deadline. That assurance is needed here today.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

What criteria would we be able to put into our recommendations to ensure that some projects could be extended?

[Gabe Miller]

For instance, if a project has been delayed by extreme weather, if undue approvals by other orders of government have made it impossible for projects to proceed in a timely manner, if--

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

I don't expect you to give me an answer off the top of your head, but if you could provide us with something by speaking with your members, that would be very useful.

[Gabe Miller]

Absolutely.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Is there any region of the country where it has been more difficult, exclusive of weather conditions, of course, but because of the bureaucracy or trying to get the money out?

[Gabe Miller]

As you said, there are weather conditions in certain parts of the country that make things challenging. It is clear that there are some special challenges in Quebec. The reasons aren't entirely clear to municipalities. We know that the approval of the stimulus program in Quebec didn't occur at the same time it did in certain other parts of the country. Some of that is unavoidable.

When the federal government goes across the country and reaches agreements with the provinces and territories individually, some agreements are going to get approved sooner than others, but we certainly understand, from our members in Quebec, that the timing of approvals there has created some special challenges. We expect that any policy on the deadline will address those challenges.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Thank you.

Ms. Kerner, you make a very compelling argument that there needs to be more money for women and women's groups in terms of equality. One of the issues you talked about and put a special emphasis on was the poverty issue. Does your organization benefit from any federal programs right now? You said most of the issues you were going to speak about dealt with provincial jurisdiction.

[Hilla Kerner]

No. We operate a rape crisis centre. There are two rape crisis centres in Vancouver. Neither of them receive federal money or provincial money. We don't receive money from Status of Women Canada or the federal budget. There was no access in the last year for women's groups wishing to advocate and to change the status of women. There is only particular money to particular services, so there is no access to federal money, let alone no money for the....

I'm so sorry. There is a minor accident.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

It's only water.

[Hilla Kerner]

There is no money for the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres, which is a national body. It has a lot of importance in terms of sharing and building expertise in a nationwide manner. There is no funding for that at all, not even to gather front-line workers from all over the country to brainstorm, to improve what we know, and to improve our strategies. So the answer is basically no, we have no access to money.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Why would there be no money from Status of Women Canada?

[Hilla Kerner]

The guidelines are not enabling women's groups like ours that are striving for social change or just individual services to have access to money.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

We don't seem to have a presentation from your group.

[Hilla Kerner]

I'm so sorry. I gave it to the woman. I'll make sure you receive a copy.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Is that recommendation in the brief?

[Hilla Kerner]

To change the guidelines in Status of Women Canada, no. With your permission, I will send clearer information on that to the committee tomorrow.

[Massimo Pacetti, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Send it to the clerk's office.

Thank you. I'll have the second round later.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Thank you, Mr. Pacetti.

Mr. Paillé, you have seven minutes.

[Daniel Paillé, Bloc, Hochelaga, QC]

Thank you for being with us.

I was also impressed by Ms. Kerner's presentation. As a member of Parliament representing a highly urban riding in the south of Montreal, I have to cope with very similar situations.

However I would like to continue the discussion with Mr. Cunningham about practical challenges arising from budget implementation.

I detected some caution in your answers to Mr. Pacetti. Clearly, no one wants to offend someone who will have billions of dollars within six months. However, we saw today that Mr. Flaherty probably took advantage of the fact that all the opposition members are in the west of the country to make his statement in the east. However, he did not announce that the March 31 deadline will be extended, and we are six months away from the date on which the work is supposed to be completed.

Could you tell me whether workers are having to put in double or triple the hours elsewhere in the country, making the salary costs much higher than expected.

Also, do you have any examples of situations, here in Canada, where some of the supplies needed to complete the work being done were not available in sufficient quantities? If there is a shortage of certain supplies—and we could be talking about something as basic as pipes—the prices will obviously rise.

If the deadline is March 31, do you think that the increase in the cost of supplies and human resources, regardless of whether it is snowing or if temperatures are below freezing—and we seem to forget that we are talking about Canada—will prevent you from completing the work?

[Hans Cunningham]

Thank you for the question.

With regard to the technical question, I will defer to Gabe because I'm sure he's better versed with regard to the exact answers than I am.

[Gabe Miller]

I will try to answer in French, but please forgive any mistakes.

Very tight deadlines carry risks. They create pressure as far as the costs and the actual work go. Of course, when we have to buy supplies, and the window is narrow or there is a shortage of necessary qualified workers, the price is affected. In principle, that is a challenge stemming from the economic recovery plan, which is by definition time-limited. On the one hand, there are cost pressures, but on the other hand, most prices are lower because of the recession. Pressure will make prices rise, but it will still be possible to get lower prices.

As for the future, we feel that projects must be looked into, especially in Quebec. If a project truly carries a risk, and there are unreasonable cost pressures involved, we must do what our partners do and set a new deadline for that project. It is all about acquiring the flexibility that is necessary for creating jobs as quickly as possible, but it is also about providing Canadians with the highest possible value.