Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada has been working to assist the affected workers of the British Canadian mining plant for quite a while.
When the mine temporarily shut down in 1995, representatives of HRDC did everything possible to help affected workers, including becoming involved in the implementation of a joint reclassification committee.
At the time, approximately 50 workers took advantage of this work stoppage to start their own company and to avail themselves of training opportunities, thus improving their employability. These workers have not returned to work at the mine.
Even though the plant closure is imminent, representatives from the department have been working to address this for a long time now and are meeting the needs of affected workers.
This government appreciates that losing one's job is not easy, especially when someone has held their position for decades, as is the case for most of the British Canadian Mining plant workers. However the Government of Canada wants to assure them that everything will be done to help them get through this difficult time.
To prove this, an important meeting between representatives of HRDC and those of the company and the union was held at the end of September to clarify what we intended to do. Particularly, HRDC has assured concerned mine workers that it would show flexibility in the delivery of the following active employment measures.
One is using targeted wage subsidies. Thanks to self-employment, employment insurance eligible participants who have a viable idea to start their own business can be eligible for financial assistance, planning assistance and for continued support while they set up their business. The mesures uniques de formation consolidates all the training purchase measures, including the fee payer component.
As members can see, the Government of Canada has not let the British Canadian mine workers down. For example between 1990 and 1992 HRDC provided funding assistance of almost $3 million to help maintain employment at this mine.
I want to assure the House and all others that the government is and will remain sensitive to the needs of the workers.