Jane Stewart

[Taxation, December 13th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I believe that Canadians know that all levels of government need to work together to deal with the challenges that we face in the 21st century with skills, manpower training, and development, to ensure that we are the most innovative and successful country in the world.

We are working with the provinces and territories in an active way and I wish to remind him again that our labour market agreements that have been signed with the majority of provinces are working well in this regard.

[Taxation, December 13th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will know that every year we transfer over $600 million to the province of Quebec, precisely for labour market issues. The hon. member will also know that we have continuing discussions with the labour market ministers of all provinces to ensure that we have the best programs in place at both levels of government to support Canadians.

[Social Programs, December 13th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows that in the last Speech from the Throne the government committed to working with Canadians so that they do not have the moral dilemma of leaving work to care for a gravely ill child or family member.

I would note in last night's debate in this place that there seems to be broad support for such an initiative from all parties. I look forward to working with the House to deliver on the government's Speech from the Throne commitment.

[Softwood Lumber, December 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, our first concern is for the workers in the softwood lumber industry. That is why $246 million has been earmarked specifically for those workers. Whether it be $112 million to support communities to diversify their economies or $70 million for expanded employment insurance provisions, the government is concerned about workers and will be there to support them.

[Softwood Lumber, December 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, the hon. member has given me the opportunity to congratulate our candidates who did so significantly well in the byelections. I also think that may be because the Government of Canada is already working to support Canadians who could be impacted by this trade dispute.

I get the opportunity again to remind the hon. member the Government of Canada already invests through the employment insurance program $450 million a year to workers in the forestry industry. We have identified another $246 million, $70 million of them through my department for assistance to workers in the softwood lumber industry. The province of Quebec receives $600 million every year.

[Employment Insurance, December 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is a priority for us to ensure that benefits that are in place are in the hands of recipients. We have continued to focus on the challenges before us.

The hon. member can rest assured that the department is following these requirements on a weekly basis and doing its very best to make sure that these important benefits are in the hands of individuals.

If he has an individual case he would like me to look at I would be pleased to do that on his behalf.

[Human Resources Development, December 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, supporting Canadians balance workplace-family challenges is a priority for the government. We recently doubled parental benefits so Canadian parents have the choice of staying home with their new children for up to a year.

In the Speech from the Throne, as the hon. member mentioned, we also recognized that there is a role to be played in reducing the moral dilemma of working and caring for gravely ill children or dying parents.

The Romanow commission has recommended that we act on this, and, with the support of the hon. member and the House, I hope we will do so very soon.

[Softwood Lumber, December 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we are already taking action because we are concerned about the impact and the potential impact of this trade dispute on Canadian workers in the softwood lumber industry.

I would remind the hon. member that each year on average $450 million is provided through employment insurance benefits to workers in the forestry industry. We recently identified $246 million in specific new targeted measures specifically for workers in the softwood lumber industry. In Quebec alone, $600 million is transferred every year for active measures through the employment insurance fund, as well as additional money specifically for older workers.

[Persons with Disabilities, December 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I can tell the hon. member that provincial ministers and myself have agreed on a framework of action that deals with the question of employability, supply and demand. We want to ensure that EAPD moneys are reflected against that framework and can be leveraged with existing provincial moneys.

The hon. member can rest assured that the government is committed to ensuring that Canadians with disabilities can exercise their full rights as citizens in this country.

[Persons with Disabilities, December 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, this is a very timely question and I thank the hon. member for her interest in this file.

Indeed last week I met with the ministers of social services and we talked about expediting the new replacement program for employment assistance for people with disabilities.

I can tell the hon. member that I was most optimistic coming out of that meeting. Ministers right across the country want to work with the Government of Canada to ensure that these moneys, $193 million today, will continue to flow for the benefit of Canadians with disabilities.