Evidence of meeting #50 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 c-50.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Pierre Céré  Spokeperson, Conseil national des chômeurs et chômeuses
Pierre Laliberté  Political Advisor, Manufacturing Sector, Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec
Jean-Claude Rocheleau  Rank and File Board Member, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
Brent Reid  Rank and File Board Member, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
Corinne Pohlmann  Vice-President, National Affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Andrew Casey  Vice-President, Public Relations and International Trade, Forest Products Association of Canada
Armine Yalnizyan  Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Dan Kelly  Senior Vice-President, Legislative Affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business

4:25 p.m.

Vice-President, Public Relations and International Trade, Forest Products Association of Canada

Andrew Casey

I don't know if it is the single biggest. I couldn't tell you what would be the single best improvement.

4:25 p.m.

Liberal

Michael Savage Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

I appreciate that.

Mr. Kelly.

4:25 p.m.

Dan Kelly Senior Vice-President, Legislative Affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business

No, I don't think this is the best way to reform employment insurance. In fact, as we outlined earlier, our concern is that the costs of this are going to make job creation and getting the economy back on track more difficult by adding additional costs to the system.

The changes that were made in the January budget I think were more preferable and were ones that were more favourable to small firms, such as the extension of benefits for all workers, the changes to the work-sharing program. These are some of the changes that we in fact liked more than the changes in this bill, particularly in that the government had agreed to pay for those out of general revenue, as opposed to calling back the fund to pay for it, as this bill will do.

4:25 p.m.

Rank and File Board Member, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada

Brent Reid

It's a tough question to ask, but I've learned in this last little while that when something is on the table you can't leave it. So we're urging you from our union's perspective to help the people that it does help, and then move on to help the people you need to help.

4:30 p.m.

Liberal

Michael Savage Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

I understand. But as I addressed before, we have to look at this bill right now in terms of whether we can support this. We're looking at this one single measure. Is this the best—I think you are suggesting in your brief that it wasn't, but I'll give you a chance to change that.

You don't have to look at.... I'm sorry.

4:30 p.m.

Rank and File Board Member, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada

Jean-Claude Rocheleau

I did not say that was the best way to help the workers. That is what had been presented. That is what is there to help the workers immediately. Just in case there are people who do not know, there are people who currently need help and they do not need help in six to eight months. They need help right now. So, currently, that is what is being proposed. It is far from sufficient. I also mentioned in the presentation that there will be other reforms brought in very quickly to improve the EI program. That has to get done.

Currently, that is what is being proposed. We will take what is on the table. A number of people will be helped but—and this is your job—something else will certainly have to be put on the table to improve the fate of people who are suffering right now, who are grappling with difficulties and wondering what they are going to do with their house, their family and how they are going to manage.

4:30 p.m.

Liberal

Michael Savage Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

Did you support the budget in January, which also provided not enough but some help and considerably more than is here? Would you have voted for the budget in January, which provided five extra weeks for everybody on EI as well as training?

4:30 p.m.

Rank and File Board Member, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada

Jean-Claude Rocheleau

I do not want to answer a trick question because I was not here when the budget was studied in detail. I do not want to go that route. I am here to talk about a bill. So I will not go into detail on the estimates.

4:30 p.m.

Liberal

Michael Savage Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

Thank you.

Mr. Laliberté.

4:30 p.m.

Political Advisor, Manufacturing Sector, Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec

Pierre Laliberté

In my opinion, this reform is not sufficient. I find it quite scandalous that we are put in the position where we have to say yes to a reform that is based on discriminatory principles, a reform that will not attain the objectives that should be set, that you should set as a government. And so, I rather disagree. I think that the whole exercise was mistaken right from the outset. Quite frankly, no.

4:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Dean Allison

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Savage. We will come back to the Liberals in the second round.

Mr. Lessard, sir, the floor is yours, for seven minutes.

4:30 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I also want to thank our guests for being here today to give us their views. I first of all want to congratulate and thank Ms. Yalnizyan. Whenever she comes to testify on behalf of her organization, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, she brings perspective to the debate, which helps me a great deal to assess the pros and cons of a bill.

I would also like to ask a few questions of the Forest Products Association of Canada. How many members do you represent, Mr. Casey?

4:30 p.m.

Vice-President, Public Relations and International Trade, Forest Products Association of Canada

Andrew Casey

I represent 22 members, which means most of the production.

4:30 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

You say that you cover 75% of functional lumber operations in Canada.

4:30 p.m.

Vice-President, Public Relations and International Trade, Forest Products Association of Canada

4:30 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

I understand that you have union locals for each of the regions in Canada. You have a province-based structure. Is that correct? Do you have affiliate members?

4:30 p.m.

Vice-President, Public Relations and International Trade, Forest Products Association of Canada

Andrew Casey

Only at the national level. We don't have that provincially.

4:30 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

Do you have members in Quebec?

4:30 p.m.

Vice-President, Public Relations and International Trade, Forest Products Association of Canada

Andrew Casey

Yes, of course, AbitibiBowater, Tembec and others.

4:30 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

Can you tell us whether they are in agreement with this bill?

4:30 p.m.

Vice-President, Public Relations and International Trade, Forest Products Association of Canada

Andrew Casey

They support our position.

4:30 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

Do they agree with the bill?

4:30 p.m.

Vice-President, Public Relations and International Trade, Forest Products Association of Canada

Andrew Casey

They agree with our position on the bill.

4:30 p.m.

Bloc

Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC

The forest industry in Quebec...

October 20th, 2009 / 4:30 p.m.

Vice-President, Public Relations and International Trade, Forest Products Association of Canada

Andrew Casey

I can't speak for the industry Mr. Chevrette represents, but our members who have operations in Quebec are in agreement.