House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Child Poverty November 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the government is very concerned about child poverty. Witness the $5 billion a year that go into the Canada child tax benefit. Witness the $2 billion that come July will be part of the national child benefit. Witness the $9 billion in total that include programs like CAPC, prenatal nutrition, and focusing on Inuit and aboriginal health. Child poverty is a priority for the government.
People With Disabilities November 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I am aware of this concern and the department is working on it.
Employment Insurance November 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, employment insurance benefits are a very important part of our infrastructure. They are there for Canadians who had been working and who find themselves temporarily without work. We on this side of the House are very anxious to work with Canadians to ensure that they have jobs, that they have employment.
Today we were very pleased to see that Canada's unemployment numbers are continuing to come down. They are the lowest they have been in a decade at 7.2%. I would also note that for adult women unemployment is the lowest it has been since 1975 at 5.8%.
The Disabled November 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I will be glad to look at any particular issues the hon. member wants to bring forward with particular projects. I do want to recognize the support that the Bloc is giving for the opportunities fund. It is a fund that has been established to support Canadians with disabilities. It is nice to hear that the Bloc feels that this is a wise investment for all Canadians including those in Quebec.
The Disabled November 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to recognize and thank the members of the subcommittee of the standing committee for the work that they have done in bringing all government departments together to appreciate the role that they can play in helping to reflect the needs of Canadians with disabilities in our policies and in our services.
I am looking forward to responding to the recommendations of the particular subcommittee in the near future. I hope the hon. member will continue to work with us as we focus on Canadians with disabilities ensuring that we have policies of inclusion and not of exclusion.
Ageism November 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, again, as I said, I will review the judgment that has come out in this case and we will take steps from there.
Ageism November 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the judge in this case concluded that the exclusion of separated spouses from the spousal allowance benefit is a reasonable limit on the constitutional equality rights of the charter. He has left further action to parliament.
I am looking forward to reviewing in detail the judgment and we will move from there.
Government Grants November 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I am here to confirm, not justify, that the appropriate approval process was undertaken. I am here to confirm that, yes, there was administrative error and it has been dealt with.
I am here to confirm that the trust funds have been closed. I am also here to confirm that there are people working in this riding who would not be working without the support of this government.
Government Grants November 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we have done the right thing. The appropriate approval process was undertaken. We identified that there was an administrative error and that has been dealt with.
Most appropriate, we are happy with the reduced unemployment rate in Canada of 7.2%, the lowest in a decade.
Government Grants November 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, indeed we have responded to the issue. The appropriate approval process was undertaken. The administrative error has been identified and has been dealt with. The trust funds have been closed.
What we are very proud of is today's labour numbers which indicate that Canada's unemployment rate is at 7.2%, the lowest in a decade. That is because of the approaches of the country to the issue of employment in Canada.