Human Resources Committee on May 30th, 2006

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

I feel too that there has been a response previously tabled and I agree we have now some mechanism set up. I will not be supporting the motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Is there any other discussion, then, on this motion?

All right.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Yes, Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Mr. Chairman, is the vote on the first motion unanimous?

[A voice]

Yes.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

All right, thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

That's correct, yes.

We'll go to the motion Mr. Lessard wants to move up to today, because we're just humming along here:

Given the urgency resulting from the approaching end of the Pilot Project on Increased Weeks of Employment Insurance Benefits (pilot project number 6) suspension, that the committee recommend to the government that it immediately renew the project in all regions currently included in the project and that the chair of the committee report this motion to the House.

We have since had an amendment. Just give us a second; we'll give you the amendment.

Okay. What I have here for the amendment is.... We can work on this, because I believe we also have another amendment, from Ms. Yelich. The amendment put forward by—Mr. D'Amours, was it you who put it out? It would read “as long as there's not a permanent measure implemented by the government”. Is that correct?

I now have Ms. Yelich.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Just as a quick wording question, why is the word “suspension” in there? It seems redundant to the approaching end.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Well, given the urgency resulting from the approaching end of the suspension---

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Okay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Maybe it's just the translation.

Ms. Yelich has an amendment.

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

I would like to---

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Hold on a second, Ms. Yelich.

The first thing we need to do, unless there's any further discussion on this amendment, is have a vote on this amendment before Ms. Yelich puts her amendment forward.

Is there any further discussion on this amendment?

(Amendment agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Ms. Yelich, do you have an amendment?

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

I would like to take out the word “immediately” and include, after the word “project”, the following: “if after completion of the current review of the program's effectiveness it is deemed to be in the best interests of seasonal gapper workers while providing value for money”.

This project is going to be examined and evaluated, and it's being done in the best interest of the employees. I think it is important and incumbent upon us to do what's best for the employees as well as provide the best value for money, so I just want that inserted.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Mr. Lessard.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I clearly understand that my colleague wishes to amend the motion by deleting the word “immediately”. That is very clever of her, because that deprives the motion of any meaning. The minister had indeed proposed that we wait for the studies to be completed, etc.

I am surprised that my colleagues do not have the results of an assessment of this project in hand. Mr. Chairman, this is one of the most successful pilot projects, the most efficient one. We reached 92% of the target clientele and a satisfaction rate of 76%. In my opinion, this was probably the best performance of any pilot project among all of those that were set up.

If the project were coming to an end in September or October, I would perhaps consider the amendment. However, under the circumstances, I feel that the amendment, as clever as it may be, is null and void given the urgency of the situation and our obligations towards the unemployed, particularly in the regions affected by what we call the black hole.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Mr. Coderre.

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I don't think we should have an argument about semantics on the backs of the workers and those who will be without any income as of Sunday. I ask you to call the vote.

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

I'll take out the word “immediately”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Or leave it in.

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

Yes, I meant I would put the word “immediately” in.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

I have just been informed by the clerk that if you would like to amend the amendment, you'll need unanimous consent from the committee.

[Lynne Yelich, Conservative, Blackstrap, SK]

I seek unanimous consent to include the word “immediately” before “renew the project in all regions”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

You will seek unanimous consent to strike the word “immediately” from the amendment?