As I was saying, the motion's purpose is simply to shed light on a situation whose details are still largely unknown. I think the minister needs to be accountable to seniors and needs to come and explain herself.
One journalist received hundreds of calls from people who have been waiting for their benefits for nine months. At first, it was said that there was no problem. It was then said that there were 30 cases, which accounted for 0% and some change. It's now being said that the ratio could be as high as 2%. Some years have slightly fewer and other years have slightly more, but let us say that 500,000 new people retire on average. Two per cent still represents over 10,000 people. We have gone from “no problem” to 30 cases and then to 2%. What's the reality? That's what we want to know, plain and simple.
It's clear that this is a serious problem. There have been discussions among the whips of all political parties, a meeting has been requested pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), and a motion is now being proposed.
Yesterday, I spoke with FADOQ, a major group in Quebec. They were saying that the calls were just starting to come in. It's clear that the fact that it's been in the newspapers may be encouraging people to say that they haven't received their pension or that they haven't had any problems. It's important to talk about it to be able to shed light on all this.
I'd like to point out that the Cúram computer system is also being tested but that other federal benefits, including employment insurance benefits, will be covered by that system. To prevent issues from repeating for the people who are going to need their benefits, let us shed light on this now, before there are more cases.
Let us find solutions for Cúram by talking to the Minister of Jobs and Families and the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement.
I think the committee can do that. We propose holding two meetings, one with each minister, to shed light on this and find solutions. We can then see what the committee's next steps will be.
I think those two meetings, those two hours with each of the ministers, are crucial. Not all seniors are rich, and some need their pensions to pay for their housing and groceries. If a cheque hasn't come in for nine months, it's possible to end up in a poverty spiral. That's not what we want.
I think we can do this as adults and ask the ministers questions. So far, the answers to the questions we have asked in the House have varied a great deal. The proposal we were given was simply to say that if people have problems, they can write to the department. That's basically what was said in the email I received. That isn't a notice of meeting. Let us meet and talk. We need the ministers to come and explain the situation to us so we can find solutions.