Jane Stewart

[Poverty, November 5th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I welcome the report of the working group because it does highlight that we must continue to be vigilant and make appropriate investments to reduce child poverty.

I would point out that in the report there is a recognition that there is an actual decrease in the levels of child poverty, but we need to do more. That is why I am so glad that in our recent Speech from the Throne we talk about additional investment in the national child benefit, a direct income support for Canadians and low income earners with children, as well as recognition that additional money for child care is appropriate at this time.

[Employment Insurance, November 5th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, let me remind the hon. member that we have made considerable changes and improvements to the employment insurance system. We have dealt with the question of intensity. We have made changes to the clawback. We have made the small weeks project full. Most importantly, we have doubled parental benefits to ensure that parents have the choice of staying home with their newborns for a up to a year.

[Human Resources Development, November 5th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, from time to time to deal with the ebbs and flows of the work of the department we do have to hire term employees. There are requirements that need to be followed and are established by Treasury Board, and my department does that.

[Softwood Lumber Industry, November 5th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I want the hon. member to appreciate that the money is already there. For any who find themselves without work as a result of the trade dispute and who are eligible for employment insurance, they are now receiving benefits and they have access to EI, part II. The hon. member should take the time to understand the system fully before he pontificates in such a way.

[Softwood Lumber Industry, November 5th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to tell the hon. member that there will be an additional $30 million for work sharing while learning, $14.5 million for increased referrals to training and $15 million for older worker pilot projects. This will be available in areas where the unemployment level is over 10% because we want to make sure the additional measures reach those most in need.

I also want to remind the hon. member that every year $450 million in employment insurance benefits goes to workers in the forestry industry.

[Persons with Disabilities, October 31st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to Canadians with disabilities the government has a long and positive track record. I want to remind the hon. member of the fact that through our opportunities fund we invest over $40 million a year ensuring that Canadians with disabilities have got access to the workplace.

I also want to remind the hon. member that every year the government transfers $193 million to the provinces to assist Canadians with disabilities find employability.

We continue to work with our provinces to build a system of employability to ensure that Canadians have the support they need to work in the Canadian economy. We will continue to work with them.

[Persons with Disabilities, October 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, first and foremost the hon. member is making reference to a provincial jurisdiction. Aside from that let me say to the hon. member that social services ministers have as a priority on their agenda the focus of Canadians with disabilities.

It is my view that together we can build a plan, build on our vision called In Unison, to move to an agenda of action that will ensure that Canadians with disabilities can exercise full citizen rights in this country.

[Student Loans Program, October 29th, 2002]

From that diatribe, Mr. Speaker, I would assume that the hon. member would be supportive of the changes that we have recently put in place to increase the integrity of the social insurance number.

We will be accepting only original documents. We will be marking those 900 series cards with an expiry date. We are also ensuring that increased training is provided to my staff because it is important to make sure that reference document is secure.

[Student Loans Program, October 29th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, let me thank the hon. member for drawing this particular and specific case to my attention. I will be glad to work with him to make sure that we have it fully rectified.

[Student Loans, October 29th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I will continue with my list in response to this second question.

I would remind the hon. member that through the registered education savings program and the Canadian education savings grants program, we have paid $1.2 billion in grants to date to approximately 1.6 million children so that they have income to help them when they continue on with their post-secondary education.

In addition, we have had an increase in interest relief, an extended repayment period and a debt reduction program for borrowers. In addition to that, we continue to work with the provinces to look at the whole student loan process and will--