Madam Speaker, since being elected to the House of Commons in 1993 I have never forgotten that a nation is not made up of mere facts and figures but of real people, both young and old. So it follows that one key to a healthy country is to create opportunities for a group like Canada's youth. In fact, in terms of jobs and growth, the government's budget appears focused on youth.
It was announced for instance that federal funding for student summer jobs would be doubled and that the new Canada technology partnerships program would boost key sectors. It was also announced that jobs for youth would be a high priority and aimed
at doubling the number of federal summer jobs for students. Furthermore the government challenged other levels of government and the private sector to do likewise. As well, it was announced that this government will work with the provinces and the private sector to enhance youth job opportunities and help create new approaches for first jobs.
My own recognition of the need to create lasting jobs for young Canadians as opposed to only so-called "Mc jobs" can be seen by a petition I have sponsored in support of better working conditions for temporary workers.
It goes without saying that all job seekers are looking for employment that offers an income sufficient to live in a dignified fashion. Unfortunately many of them have grown discouraged by the shortage of jobs currently posted in Canada employment centres and are turning to temporary employment agencies for short term contract work.
Obviously these temporary help agencies are providing a much needed service by supplying employers with workers, but such so-called private temporary help services do not come cheap. By insisting on a portion of each worker's hourly wage and demanding compensation from employers as well, these agencies illustrate the need for government to encourage the growth of more enduring jobs.
That is why I hope to encourage a growing number of employers, including the various levels of government, to post their job openings, be they temporary or permanent, free of cost in Canada employment centres. I am inviting all businesses in my riding to let me know why some of them currently prefer to satisfy their manpower needs through costly private temporary help agencies as opposed to Canada employment centres.
If our current centres are failing to satisfy the requirements of employers, then it stands to reason they will prove unable to meet the needs of our unemployed. If so, let us learn to offer the kind of services both require. Unless we do, we might just as well close down all federal centres and turn the entire industry over to the private sector.
The throne speech also recognized that young Canadians should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. To help them cope with the rising cost of post-secondary education, the government announced it would increase education credits for tax purposes and raise limits on the transfers to parents for education and tuition credits.
On top of current funding for programs such as youth internship Canada and youth services Canada, the Liberal government announced it would reallocate $315 million to create new jobs for youth. Of this funding, $120 million is slated to go toward student summer jobs in 1996-97, doubling last year's federal contribution. Some of the $315 million will go to help find work for youth who have left school.
For my part, this spring I followed the lead of the government and devoted a full page of my latest householder to promoting the student summer job action program. A key ingredient of this innovative program is the many Canada employment centres for students located on various academic campuses across the country.
These offices help thousands of Canadian employers each spring to hire students talented in every type of job imaginable. Whether your business or home needs full time, part time or odd help, Canada employment centres for students are the place to turn to. Anyone interested in using the student summer job action program can call the new youth action line at 1-800-935-5555.
What about the young people for whom these programs are designed to help, the real people behind the facts and figures? As they shield their eyes with Ray-Ban sun-glasses and their ears with Sony walkmen, many youth across Canada are busy working as bicycle messengers, pizza drivers, yard workers, Wal-Mart employees and Mc-jobbers in today's low wage, low benefit service economy. They are the wandering nomads of the temporary employment world. In school they are a group of staggering diversity, not just in ethnicity but also in attitude, performance and rewards. After graduation they dream of graduating into jobs and moving out of their parents' house.
Many youths realize that some members of their generation may be the first to do less well than their parents. Fortunately they are also better equipped than my generation was to deal with the kinds of rapid change society is now facing. After all, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Canada's children went from a family culture of "My Three Sons" to one of "My Two Dads". Yet we often see these same young men and women at the mall buying groceries for busy moms and dads. If anything, they are survivors.
I myself am the father of two fine young people, a 20-year old son and a 15-year old daughter. It is on behalf of them and their generation that I dedicate this government's efforts at debt reduction and job creation. In last month's budget this government has shown its unwavering commitment to securing Canada's future by creating opportunities for a group that at times has felt disenfranchised: our youth.