Government Operations Committee on March 10th, 2011

[Anne Marie Smart]

With reference to the economic action plan, you're absolutely right. There was a very deliberate decision and strong desire, when that budget came down and there was this global recession going on, to make sure Canadians had very swift access to the information about programs and services that could benefit them.

You are right. The principles of marketing—if you want to put it that way—were applied, and one of the ways to do that is to have a recognizable symbol, such as the economic action plan logo brand. It was consistent in everything that was done, whether it was the website, TV, print, or radio. We drove everyone to one spot on the action plan site so they had one-stop service to be able to access a program that would benefit them. It was really important to do that, whether it was an individual, a family, or a business.

Visible logos and visible symbols are a good principle of marketing if you're going to do something that important and of that magnitude, so yes, we did.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Peace River, AB]

That is important. There are probably lessons learned, and obviously this was a success. I talk to constituents on a regular basis who were impacted as a result of some aspect of the economic action plan, whether it was a training opportunity to retrain people who had lost their jobs and were now able to access programs to help them be retrained for future jobs; whether it was for tax provisions to ensure that people could take advantage of lower tax provisions to lessen their burden and their output to government to keep more money in their own pockets; or whether it was for some of the job-saving measures, through the job-sharing program, that some of these companies used so that they could keep employees on the payroll even though they didn't have the work.

It was interesting to speak to some constituents who are employees at a particular firm in my constituency. They were referencing a different measure on the website and came across a job-sharing program. Their employer had not been aware of that program, but because they went to the website for a different purpose they were able to access the information and indicate to their employer that this program existed, and the employer actually took advantage of that program. It was a perfect example of the absolute success of having people come to one spot. I commend you for that. I think that is something that was done right and it is something that should be considered as we move forward. Maybe that's something that could be undertaken as well when the budget is rolled out.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Thank you, Mr. Warkentin.

Perhaps if there is a hiring opportunity available in any one of your departments, Mr. Warkentin could apply.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Peace River, AB]

We're always hopeful that we're employable.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

On behalf of the committee, I want to thank each of you for your appearance here today. It's been very helpful to the deliberations of the committee.

This meeting is now adjourned.