House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Government Grants November 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, let me say again that the appropriate approval process was undertaken. Indeed an administrative error was made by the department in administering the funds.
In May of this year that was recognized. In June a directive was issued to deal with it and the trust funds have been closed.
Government Grants November 5th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, let me again confirm to the House that the appropriate approval process was undertaken on this project.
The department of human resources analysed the opportunity, the information was provided to the stakeholders, the stakeholders agreed that the investment should be made, and no moneys flowed until that appropriate approval process was completed.
Government Contracts November 4th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. There was nothing illegal in any of the transactions in this case.
The appropriate approval process was followed. An inappropriate administration approach was taken by the department. That was identified in May and the trust funds have been closed.
Millennium Scholarships November 4th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, as we saw earlier even the Bloc Quebecois understands the importance of getting an agreement with Quebec so these very important millennium scholarships can be available to students in Quebec.
For us what is critically important is that the debt of students be reduced and reduced significantly. As soon as Mr. Legault will say that indeed will be the case, I am sure there will be an agreement between the foundation and the province of Quebec.
Millennium Scholarships November 4th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has it all wrong. The whole point of the millennium scholarships, which are tremendously important to all Canadian students, is to reduce their debt.
The government has implemented this very important approach to supporting Canadian students to reduce their debt. We have been able, through the foundation, to write agreements with all provinces and territories except for Quebec, but I am optimistic that we can do it there for the betterment and the support of students in Quebec.
Millennium Scholarships November 4th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, rather than creating a two-tier system, the millennium scholarships will reduce the indebtedness of students with the greatest financial need.
Students have asked that the loans be changed to scholarships. But what Minister Legault is not saying is that, using his calculations, students will get only another $175 annually. He must promise to put the students on a more solid financial footing. When he does, we will have an agreement.
Government Grants November 4th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to answer the question.
Nothing inappropriate was done in terms of the administration of the approval process. It was done in an appropriate fashion. When we discovered that the choice of administrative management of the use of trust funds was inappropriate, we directed the department to close the trust fund.
Most important is that Canadians who very desperately needed jobs are working. That is the point of this project.
Government Grants November 4th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, we have done the right thing.
We followed the appropriate approval process. When we discovered that the administrative method to manage the moneys was inappropriate, we closed the trust fund. Most important, there are jobs in the riding. People are working. In a riding of extremely high unemployment, transitional job funds are there to help provide sustainable jobs for Canadians. That is the important point here.
Government Grants November 4th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I have confirmed that there was nothing illegal in any of these transactions.
The approval process was done appropriately. No moneys flowed until the approval process was complete. The inappropriate management of funds was identified. Directives were given to close the trust funds. That has been completed.
Government Grants November 4th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, in administering the fund the department chose an inappropriate method. It set up trust funds. In May of this year that inappropriateness was deemed to be true. In June a directive was issued. The trust funds were closed. That has been done. The trust funds have been closed.