House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 80% of the vote.
Older Workers December 3rd, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I am glad the member is excited about the announcement that we made. It is very good news.
I have to point out to my friend the point of a pilot project. It is put in place so data can be gathered to make a determination about the future of that type of programming. That is the whole point. I invite my friend to stay tuned and we will gather data over the next 18 months and make a determination based on the facts.
Employment Insurance December 3rd, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I know my friend has a deep concern for the fate of seasonal workers, as do we. That is why it is my great pleasure to announce that we are renewing the extended EI pilot program for seasonal workers, a program that will allow us to collect data so we can better support them in the future.
We want to support workers, which is why this government is investing more in training than any government in history. We want to give them the skills so they can take advantage of the hottest job market in history, so they can support themselves and their families.
Questions on the Order Paper November 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the future of the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation, CMSF, after January 5, 2010, is understandably a matter of interest to parliamentarians, students, provinces, territories and stakeholders.
A number of reviews have been undertaken to assess the CMSF’s performance, effectiveness and success in achieving its mandate.
The results of these reviews are being examined and will have an impact on the government’s decision in this regard. That decision will be announced accordingly.
Questions on the Order Paper November 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the response is as follows:
a) The Quebec allocation is $40,108,848 for fiscal years 2007--2008 and 2008-2009. Of that funding, $36,841,152 is allocated to designated communities; $1,284,084 to Aboriginal communities; and $1,983,612 to outreach communities.
b) The current Canada-Quebec agreement has been extended pending the finalization of a new agreement which is expected to be concluded by December 2007.
c) The transitional measures have been effective since April 1, 2007 and will end on December 31, 2007.
d) Through contribution agreements, funds for transitional measures have been flowing to organizations as of April 1, 2007.
e) Organizations will be able to submit funding applications once the Canada-Quebec agreement is renewed and the call for proposals is advertised.
f) The Homelessness Partnering Strategy, a two-year program, came into effect on April 1, 2007.
Questions on the Order Paper November 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the response is as follows:
a) The National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) and the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) are programs of the Government of Canada.
The minister responsible for the program and its funding may announce his decisions or ask a delegate to do so on his behalf.
b) The minister responsible for the program and its funding co-ordinates announcements of Government of Canada funding decisions.
c) The minister responsible for the program co-ordinates announcements of Government of Canada funding decisions.
d) & e) The department does not track this information.
f) The department does not track this type of information. The minister responsible for the program co-ordinates announcements of Government of Canada funding decisions. Organizations may invite anyone they choose to an event.
g), h) & j) The department does not track this information.
i) Government information on funds, grants, loans and loan guarantees issued by departments and agencies is based on parliamentary authorities for departmental or agency programs and activities. This information is listed by department and government organization in the public accounts and disclosed on the web sites of government organizations. However, government organizations do not systematically compile or analyze expenditure information by electoral district. Consequently, at present, it would not be possible to provide most of the information in the form requested.
Over the course of the 39th Parliament, a number of government organizations have undertaken efforts to identify federal expenditures by postal codes which could then be summarized by electoral districts using a tool developed by Statistics Canada. While there is some promise in this approach, there remains a significant potential for error since many postal codes straddle two or more electoral districts. Moreover, the government would have significant concerns about the quality of the financial data derived by this approach because there is no way to track the geographic area in which federal funding is actually spent. For example, federal funding could be provided to the head office of a firm situated in one electoral district, while the funding was actually spent by a subsidiary located in another electoral district. This may also be the case for payments to individuals, organizations or foundations.
Statistics Canada has initiated a process to enhance the accuracy of the tool that provides the link between postal codes and electoral districts. The process will allow departments which use the tool to better approximate by electoral district, data gathered on a postal code basis. The improved tool is expected to be available by January 2008, and training for government organizations on the use of this tool is planned for February--March 2008.
Guaranteed Income Supplement November 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, there are so many misstatements in what the member says it is hard to know where to start.
The fact is that the government has been very active in pursuing seniors, no matter where they are in the country, to make sure that they are aware of the benefits for which they are eligible, including going into homeless shelters to tell them about it and going on to reserves.
I have to point out that at the end of the day if any jurisdiction, including the Government of Quebec, wants to go ahead and provide more transfers to seniors in that province they are welcome to do it.
Employment Insurance November 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the fact is of course that the government has both improved benefits and reduced premiums. Most importantly, we are investing more in training than any government in history which is extraordinarily important because today we have a job market where employers are looking for workers.
So far in Quebec this year 90,000 new net jobs have been created and the great news is that last month the most successful job seekers of all were older workers. That is tremendous news.
Employment Insurance November 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the member heard my response. I made it very clear that we are very concerned about the situation that these workers are in but it is unacceptable for the member to suggest that the government is not doing a lot for workers.
We put in place the targeted initiative for older workers. We are investing more in training than any government in Canadian history to take advantage of the hottest job market in Canadian history.
The path from poverty is employment. We are ensuring that people are getting jobs.
Employment Insurance November 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, we acknowledge that in parts of the country there are serious difficulties for workers to find full time, year round employment. This is not lost on this government. We are looking for various ways to ensure we provide support to these workers.
We will consider this request in the context of these difficult times for workers in those areas.
Victims of Crime November 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I simply must point out that it is the Bloc that is filibustering. It is the Bloc that cannot make a decision on the victims of violent crime bill, which blocks justice for thousands of Canadians who do not want to be victimized by criminals.
I must point out that the entire time Bloc members have been here they have never made a decision that has benefited Canadians. They cannot. They are forever in opposition.