Evidence of meeting #4 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was budget.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:35 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
The current annual funding is $50 million. It used to be $30 million, but with the new investment, it's $50 million per year.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
So funding was increased by $20 million. Previously, there was $30 million per year.
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Yes, that is right, $30 million annually.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
I would have to ask the financial director in order to get a sense of what level of spending occurred.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
I would like you to get an answer on that.
How much money was spent on training as part of the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers? How many projects were instituted and in which locations? How many workers took part in this? What happened to those individuals who were not able to take part?
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
The initiative was comprised of 90 projects, and the annual budget was $30 million. As I said, I will be able to get back to you with the current level of spending.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
I would like you to provide all these details in writing, please. I am interested in the amount of money spent, the number of projects that were put in place and their nature, the number of people who were turned away, and the number of workers who took part in the program.
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
The program was run according to each province's recommendations. The province's proposals were submitted.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
We're on the same page, but what I want is factual data. I understand that the provinces are subject to strict federally set rules. The fact that all provinces comply with these rules lead to outcomes, and I want to know what those outcomes were.
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
We will forward that information on to the committee.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
Good, that is very kind of you.
Now that the budget is being passed, the office has received or will receive instructions to not cover the deficit resulting from additional budgetary expenditures totalling $2.9 billion. Are we to understand that this deficit would be covered by the consolidated revenue fund?
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
As indicated in the budget, the government has undertaken to invest $2.9 billion. The costs are due to additional employment insurance investments.
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
The money is coming from the government's general revenue.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
Were you the one that recommended a freeze of employment insurance premiums? And if so, why?
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
It is not appropriate for me to talk about recommendations. The government's fiscal policy is a matter for the Department of Finance.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
If it is not appropriate to give us the reason for the decision, can you tell us what motivated it? You undoubtedly took part in the process.
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
The purpose of the measure to maintain the current premium level is to avoid an increase which may have an impact on the economy.
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
And labour.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
How can the freezing of premiums help employees when it prevents improvements being made to the system?
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
Without the premium-freezing measure, employment insurance revenue would total an additional $4.5 billion. So there is a lot more revenue to fund the system.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
Correct me if I am mistaken. Every cent accounts for $100,000 in the budget. The government said that the budget was prepared on the basis of consultations. I imagine you also took part in the process. Were wage earners consulted before proceeding with a freeze on premiums?
11:40 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development
The minister and his staff held a number of consultations.