Angela Vautour

[Employment Insurance, March 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, this issue is too important to me to be joked about. While the government is saying everything is well, as we speak I have constituents in my riding who see themselves with no income because of the actions taken on the part of the Liberal government.

Why is the minister refusing to recognize the degree of hardship caused by the drastic cuts to the EI program and refusing to introduce measures that will put an end to the suffering which we are seeing in our seasonal communities? Does the minister have an answer for the people who have no income now? Everything is not well.

[Employment Insurance, March 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the government just released its third monitoring and assessment report, following the drastic cuts to the employment insurance program. This report shows a 5.7% reduction in the number of claims from frequent claimants.

In light of this report, has the minister concluded that everything is fine regarding seasonal unemployment in our communities?

[Municipal Grants Act, March 24th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I have met with some municipalities that have serious financial problems because of the lack of taxes being paid to them when they have federal buildings in their very small communities.

It is quite a disadvantage and it is very clear that the proportion being given in lieu of taxes to these municipalities is absolutely unacceptable. These communities cannot provide the services because of this fact. What is the member's view on this point?

[Atlantic Fisheries, March 23rd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is presently buying back lobster fishing licences in New Brunswick.

Although it claims that this is totally a voluntary process, fishers in Atlantic Canada feel forced into having to sell their fishing gear, with fear that soon there will be no more fishing industry left.

These fishers are worried because no progress has yet been made on agreements with members of the native fishing communities, while tensions between natives and non-natives appear to have been increasing since the Marshall decision.

The federal government is once again turning its back on Atlantic Canada by refusing to show leadership in this growing crisis. DFO is responsible for the management of fish stocks and it should have firm rules in place prior to the start of the spring fishing season.

I call upon the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to resolve this dispute before there is a collapse in the fishing industry, which includes lobster, scallop, crab and shrimp, to name a few.

The livelihood of too many Maritime families is at stake.

[Supply, March 21st, 2000]

I thank my colleague from the Bloc for giving me the opportunity to speak on a very important issue, especially since we, members from eastern Canada, know that there are very serious problems in our regions, which have been caused by this government.

Would my colleague agree that instead of making deep cuts in the employment insurance program and wasting $1 billion, the government should have cut less?

[Supply, March 21st, 2000]

If they could only keep quiet, perhaps I could make my comments. This certainly shows a serious lack of respect on their part.

[Supply, March 21st, 2000]

I thank my colleague from the Bloc. I find it really interesting how angry Liberal members are today, hurling all kinds of insults.

[Supply, March 21st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to see how annoyed government members get when we speak the truth in the House.

[Supply, March 21st, 2000]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker—

[Petitions, March 21st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to present two petitions which were presented to me by Alice Boudreau, the representative of the Association of Rural Route Mail Couriers.

These petitions have in total 519 signatures and call upon parliament to repeal subsection 13(5) of the Canada Post Corporation Act.

I understand the frustration of the rural route couriers and I certainly support their efforts.