Jane Stewart

[Human Resources Development, February 29th, 2000]

Again I want to remind the House that when we are talking about transitional jobs fund grants and Canada jobs fund grants, not only are members of parliament involved, but the decisions include the consensus of or the acceptance by the governments in that jurisdiction, including the province of Quebec in this case and other governments like the kissing cousins of the Reform Party on decisions made in Ontario.

[Human Resources Development, February 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, as a result of our undertakings in reviewing our grants and contributions, we are looking at all our files. The active files will be clarified and any necessary action taken.

[Human Resources Development, February 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, again this is an old story that we have reviewed in the House before. Fundamental in everything here is that these questions are old news. The issue that has been raised was raised by us. The identification that we could do a better job in administration was raised by us. We are going to work to improve the system of administration and in so doing ensure that the contributions that the Government of Canada makes in the riding of the hon. member and every other member of the House will be secure, will be strong and will be there in the future.

[Human Resources Development, February 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I responded to this question in the House earlier, before Christmas. I accepted that there were administrative problems with the decisions that the hon. member is actually making. That is why to me it is so important to undertake the six point plan, to implement it, to improve the administration of grants and contributions in my department because it is the foundation for these important contributions that the Government of Canada makes in the lives of Canadians.

[Human Resources Development, February 29th, 2000]

What is clear from the questioning from that side of the House is that they do not accept that there is a role for the Government of Canada to play. They talk about waste. I point out again and again and again, it cannot be a waste to support students with Canada student loans. It cannot be a waste to support parents who want to save for their children's education. It cannot be a waste to support Canadians with disabilities so that they can have an opportunity—

[Human Resources Development, February 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, this is absolute nonsense and I reject the premise of the hon. member's question.

It is clear here yet again that on this side of the House we know that there is a role for the Government of Canada to play in supporting Canadians who do not have the same opportunities as others. What is clear is that this party—

[Human Resources Development, February 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, earlier in his questioning the member's leader said it is 21 years since the auditor general talked about grants and contributions and the need for us to improve our administration.

I am glad to say to the hon. member we are doing just that. In the context of grants and contributions in my department we are going to work to build the best system of modern comptrollership that is second to none in North America. This is an important undertaking and we are going to fix our problem and be the better for it.

[Human Resources Development, February 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, let us go at this again. We have clarified that we have asked an outside accounting firm to come in and audit this particular project. At that point we will be able to answer the questions of the hon. member.

[Human Resources Development, February 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, we are not running away from the questions. Indeed I have asked an outside auditing firm to come in and look at this particular file.

Quite the contrary, what we have done is open the process of grants and contributions to the House so members of parliament can be aware of the investments that are going into their communities, so that they can help and understand how we can continue to make differences in the lives of Canadians.

We are quite prepared to be open in this regard. I have told the hon. member that we will convey to him the information as is appropriate.

[Human Resources Development, February 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, this is really quite incredible. Probably the most important document in the parliamentary calendar was tabled in the House yesterday and this party is still asking about questions that were raised weeks ago.

I have said on this particular file that we have asked an outside auditor to come in and make sense of the facts, but we know that Canadians, including those living in Quebec, are interested in what is in this budget. They will be very surprised why this hon. member is not asking about our investment in parental benefits, about our investments in Canadians and their children.