Evidence of meeting #56 for Status of Women in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was benefits.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
4:45 p.m.
Director, Social Policy Division, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
I think people know about it.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Has there been any discussion in EI of expanding it further than the six weeks?
4:45 p.m.
Director, Social Policy Division, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
That has also been one of the recommendations that has been reviewed and looked at. At my last count, we were still seeing how this was going to work—as it is now—before seeing whether or not any sort of expansion will be considered.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
If it hasn't been well used, is it because six weeks isn't a long enough period, or do we know why it's not being well used? There are certainly enough women who are doing that care.
4:45 p.m.
Director, Social Policy Division, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
To begin with, we do know, and the monitoring and assessment reports have told us, there are some issues associated with the fact that this has to be for someone who is—I will use the wrong word—certified as likely to die within a year. That in and of itself is a tricky decision point.
Your job is protected during that six weeks; there are no issues there. But it is mostly a family decision about whether or not to pursue this.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
So it's mainly for palliative care then; it's not for someone who has to stop work for six weeks, or three or four months, to look after a sick family member who may get better?
4:50 p.m.
Director, Social Policy Division, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
No. It's officially for someone who's terminally ill.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
What about senior women accessing old age security? Is there any way it can be made easier or more accessible for them?
4:50 p.m.
Director, Social Policy Division, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
We're not aware that's an issue. You only have to apply once in your lifetime, and it comes; there's no big issue in terms of actual access.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Has it remained the same over the years or have there been changes to it?
4:50 p.m.
Director General, Labour Market Policy, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
We'll get back to you on whether there have been changes.
May 15th, 2007 / 4:50 p.m.
Bloc
Johanne Deschamps Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to come back to employment insurance. Ms. Mathyssen spoke earlier about improving the program. I am referring to Bill C-269, which is being studied by this Parliament, and which I introduced on behalf of my party.
This bill comes after a widespread consultation undertaken throughout Canada by the Standing Committee on Human Resources, beginning in 2004. The committee heard from a number of organizations representing the rights of the unemployed, unions, workers and employers in order to better understand what workers are experiencing. The nature of work has changed, which is why Bill C-269 was brought forward.
The bill also addresses seasonal work. According to statistics, 40% of working women have part-time jobs. We also spoke about farm women. That is what life is like for some of the women in my riding: they can only find seasonal work in tourism, agriculture or forestry.
In 1980, 70% of women received employment insurance benefits. In 1996, the government changed the rules and withdrew from the program. Now, only employees and employers contribute to the employment insurance fund.
Should we improve the current plan to reflect the type of labour market that women are currently facing?
4:50 p.m.
Director General, Labour Market Policy, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
I'm just going to make one comment. We can't give recommendations or even accept recommendations. I know you know that. You may know that my minister, Minister Solberg, is in front of HUMA right now, as we speak. I'm pretty sure that someone may well be asking that very question, and someone will be looking with interest to see what he puts in the transcript. It's a hard question for us to give you a meaningful answer to, as officials.
I heard your question, but it's hard to answer a question about a private member's bill that's going through the House right now. Our minister will be addressing that, I'm sure.
4:55 p.m.
Bloc
Vivian Barbot Bloc Papineau, QC
I have one minute remaining.
I would like to know if you have solved the problems that immigrant women were having with old age pension. Is something being done about that?
4:55 p.m.
Director General, Labour Market Policy, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
I don't know the answer to the question.
4:55 p.m.
Director, Social Policy Division, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch, Department of Finance
My understanding is that one must have 10 years of residency in Canada to be eligible for the old age security pension. Once you have attained that, you may be eligible for what's known as the super-GIS, in the sense that if you are in that low-income area, you may have your OAS topped up with a large GIS to the maximum of the two. My understanding is that there's no consideration being given right now to reducing that 10-year period of qualification. I think there has been some testimony here about the fact that if you come from another country and you have a social security plan there, for which we have an agreement, there may be meshing of the two schemes.
