House of Commons Hansard #181 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was province.
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Verchères, QC
Mr. Speaker, today more than 150 people representing all of the groups making up the coalition on employment insurance came to tell the Minister of Human Resources Development that he must, with all urgency, improve the employment insurance program, particularly by making it more accessible to those who need it.
What must all these coalition members think when they see this minister remaining insensitive to their claims and not responding to expectations, no matter how legitimate they are?
Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity this morning to meet with representatives of the coalition on employment insurance. We had some very profitable discussions, a good dialogue which we intend to pursue.
But when I am labelled insensitive, I feel my answers have not been properly listened to, when I take the time to explain all the programs which we—
Pierre Pettigrew Liberal Papineau—Saint-Denis, QC
The hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot might perhaps stop calling us liars, Mr. Speaker.
Pierre Pettigrew Liberal Papineau—Saint-Denis, QC
The terms “liar” and “thief” the member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot persists in using are unparliamentary, Mr. Speaker.
The programs we are creating are the proof of my sensitivity to the wishes of the unemployed.
Employment InsuranceOral Question Period
The Speaker
Order, please. Because the noise level is a little higher of course I do not hear everything in this House. I would hope—
Employment InsuranceOral Question Period
The Speaker
Order, please. Words such as ones that the minister used to describe what another member was saying are not acceptable in this House. I would encourage all hon. members to stay away from using such words.
Yvon Charbonneau Liberal Anjou—Rivière-Des-Prairies, QC
Mr. Speaker, to cool things off a bit, I have a question on a rather different topic.
We read in today's newspapers that 80,000 inhabitants of Russia's far north are facing starvation. Here in Canada, we understand the challenges and difficulties faced by isolated northern communities in such situations in winter.
Would the Minister for International Co-operation tell us what the Government of Canada is going to do to help our northern neighbours during this crisis?
Denis Paradis LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Cooperation and Minister responsible for Francophonie
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
We are very concerned about the famine conditions in which over 80,000 inhabitants of Russia's far north find themselves. In fact, last January, Canada sent emergency humanitarian aid to affected communities.
I am pleased to announce today that Canada will contribute up to $5 million additional dollars through the International Red Cross. This assistance will go to the most vulnerable members of communities, that is, to children, the elderly, the disabled and the homeless.
Ken Epp Reform Elk Island, AB
Mr. Speaker, when I was a young man the Ink Spots sang the song The Great Pretender.
The finance minister is pretending that taxes are going down when every Canadian taxpayer knows that they are going up. He is pretending that he is protecting health care when all Canadians know that the lines in hospital corridors and on waiting lists are longer than ever. What song and dance will we get now from the great free spender?
Jim Peterson LiberalSecretary of State (International Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, we will continue our overall policy of reducing personal income taxes which was done on an almost across the board basis last year. But we cannot do this in an irresponsible manner, one which would jeopardize our ability to reinvest in the health care structure, in the social infrastructure and in the economic infrastructure of our country. As well we have to pay down the debt which is at an enormous level.
We do not have unlimited options. We have adopted a very responsible approach.
Ken Epp Reform Elk Island, AB
Mr. Speaker, I wonder whether the minister is willing to admit that it is under this government that those lineups in the hospitals have increased and it is because of the high taxes and the low funding of health care. Will he admit it now?
Jim Peterson LiberalSecretary of State (International Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, the member said that we have lineups in hospitals because of high taxes. I do not understand it.
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Human Resources Development should think about what becomes of a minister who attacks EI in Canada.
This human resources development minister never agreed to go out in the field and meet the victims of employment insurance reform.
However, last fall, the minister indicated he would be very open to suggestions I might bring back from my national tour on employment insurance.
This morning, I sent his a copy of my report on the human cost of the changes made by the Liberal government to the employment insurance program.
Now that I have done his work for him by talking to workers across the country, will the minister show how open he is by adopting my recommendations?
Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, I have indeed received the hon. member's report, which I will be reading soon and with great interest.
This kind of report and work are useful in the approach taken by our government, which wants to carefully assess, evaluate and monitor the impact of EI reform on communities and individuals across the country. I can therefore assure the hon. member that I will be reading his report with great interest and that we will certainly continue our dialogue.
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Speaker, I have done the job the human resources minister should have done himself. I talked to the unemployed workers across the country.
He turned a deaf ear to Naida in British Columbia who was refused sickness benefits because she was two hours short of eligibility requirements. Naida was a mother who was recovering from a 10-day coma.
Will the minister now do his job and recognize that the reforms have failed and bring in changes to allow EI to respond to the needs of the current labour market?
Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development
Mr. Speaker, I certainly think it is a little too soon to say that the reforms have failed. Look at the situation of the labour market where unemployment is down to 7.8%. Look at the situation with youth unemployment which is decreasing more than it has in 20 years. I think some of the things we are doing are fine.
In terms of anecdotes, I could bring forward a number of cases of individuals who also greatly appreciated the actions of our government to help them get into the labour market.
Rick Borotsik Progressive Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is finally going to announce his new income disaster program next week in Victoria, British Columbia the heartland of Canadian agriculture.
I am a little concerned with the timing of this announcement because next week the House does not sit. Next week the agriculture committee will be in Washington dealing with trade issues with the Americans.
Would the minister not rather make the announcement in this House this week after the budget?
Lyle Vanclief LiberalMinister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that the hon. member is disappointed.
Before I announce this I will have final consultations and discussions with the ministers of agriculture in the other provinces. I also remind him that the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is having its annual meeting next week in Regina, Saskatchewan which I will be attending.
If the hon. member really wants to help Canadian farmers, particularly in his province, why does he not encourage them and the provincial government to get on board so that the—
Rick Borotsik Progressive Conservative Brandon—Souris, MB
Mr. Speaker, I would suspect that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is having some difficulty in his portfolio.
