Mr. Speaker, on April 13, I asked a question to the Minister of Human Resources Development concerning the new apprenticeship program for young people which, as you know, is now called "Young Apprentices". Unfortunately, my question was not answered satisfactorily.
What I was asking the minister was to commit himself to give Quebec its fair share of the program funds so that it could invest them according to its own needs and priorities.
Instead of answering my question, the Minister of Human Resources Development criticized some figures that I had not even mentioned in terms of vocational training. Vocational training is a provincial responsibility. The next day representatives from both the Parti Quebecois and the Liberal Party of Quebec in the National Assembly unanimously passed a motion asking the federal government to withdraw from vocational training.
Quebec was not the only one to make this request to the minister. At least three other provinces also expressed their reservations to the minister, which seemingly caused the cancellation of the federal-provincial conference that was expected for the next Monday.
Since then, the minister has continued to go forward unilaterally with this "Young Apprentices" Program, despite the fact that vocational training is, and I repeat it, the exclusive responsibility of the provinces.
Using federal spending power, with about 24 per cent of tax revenues coming from Quebec, the Minister of Human Resources Development admitted yesterday before a parliamentary committee that he used funds formerly allocated to community agencies to partly finance his new programs. For the benefit of Quebecers, I may point out that these programs are commonly referred to as direct employment programs.
I think it is highly improper to divert funds allocated to agencies that focus on local community development, in order to finance a new intrusion into a field of provincial jurisdiction. Hundreds of community agencies are now waiting for a reply from the Minister of Human Resources Development.
They talk about new models and new programs but never about new budget envelopes. They just recycle and fiddle with the existing envelopes for community agencies.
Does the minister really think he can fool us? When will the federal government finally understand that it is now time to reduce duplication, get rid of bureaucratic fat, encourage consultation on program financing and respect provincial jurisdictions such as education and job training?
Will the minister finally understand that we can save more than $300 million if he stops the duplication in the field of job training and if he gives the Government of Quebec the money he intends to spend in this area?
Finally, will the minister show some common sense and abide by the unanimous resolution of the Quebec National Assembly on job training and the various programs for young people recently announced by the minister?