Mr. Speaker, the federal income securities program branch of Human Resources Development Canada and other federal government departments in Regina have lost 50 public service positions because of a decision by the former minister of HRD, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, to take the jobs to his own riding in Winnipeg. This decision was slipped through on the minister's last day on the job of that department.
The chair of the economic committee of cabinet, the federal minister of agriculture, has remained silent as these jobs are moved from Regina.
The move makes no sense. It will cost taxpayers up to $2.6 million to pay for the move alone and it will take jobs in the valuable public service from the residents of Regina and Saskatchewan.
Seniors groups such as Seniors Action Now have expressed their concern that by sending these positions to Winnipeg seniors and the disabled in Saskatchewan will see longer delays to the processing of their applications and inquiries.
I challenge the minister of agriculture to take action on behalf of his constituents and his home province to reverse this politically motivated bad decision.