House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Government Grants November 4th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, let us be clear here. The appropriate approval process was undertaken in this regard. The department did the due diligence on the opportunity. The stakeholders reviewed the information and recommended investment. No moneys flowed until the approval process was completed.
Transitional Jobs Fund November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, let us clarify that the program is available to all areas of Canada where unemployment has been extremely high and it has been progressive.
In terms of the projects that the hon. member was referring to, they were managed appropriately. They went through the acceptable review process. That has been fully addressed.
Transitional Jobs Fund November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's question gives me the opportunity to remind the House of the importance of the transitional jobs fund. Over a period of three years, the government has invested $300 million and leveraged that into $2.7 billion, creating 30,000 jobs for Canadians.
The program works and it works well for Canadians.
Economic Statement By Minister Of Finance November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, employment insurance is a program which provides benefits to Canadians who were working and who now find themselves without work. Let us understand that $7 billion a year goes to families with children through the national child benefit and the child tax credit. Those are part of the legacy of the government.
Employment Insurance November 2nd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, this is interesting because if I recall rightly, yesterday the same member was asking the Minister of Finance for tax cuts. Today he is talking about the need for benefits. Is it possible that he supports our approach of 50% for tax cuts and debt reduction and 50% for investments?
Illiteracy November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, while the results of the international adult literacy survey demonstrate that most graduates of the Canadian education system have good to excellent literacy skills, we know that is not necessarily the case for all Canadians. That is why in 1997 we increased the budget for literacy by 30% to almost $30 million a year.
I want to assure the hon. member that we will continue to work very closely with our partners to ensure that all Canadians have the literacy skills they need to participate in the economy of the 21st century.
Social Policy November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the government fully understands the role that this government and other governments can play in ensuring that Canada's children have that very important first start.
In the Speech from the Throne, we identified a number of initiatives that we will undertake, not the least of which is a doubling of parental leave benefits. We understand there are tax measures that have to be incorporated, as well as the creative development of the national child benefit with the provinces. We want to work with the provinces to focus specifically on the early years for children. We will do that.
Employment Insurance October 28th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, my point yesterday and my point today is that there is no issue of quotas here. The issue may be one of the integrity of government programs, in this case the Employment Insurance Act.
If the hon. member has a particular case that he feels has been adjudicated outside the act, I would be glad to look at it.
Human Resources Development Canada October 27th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the accusations made by the hon. member are false.
Indeed, what we have in human resources development are 20,000 employees who are providing excellent customer service to Canadians. That is the approach we take and will continue to take.
Employment Insurance October 27th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the member must understand that employment insurance is there for Canadians who have been working and find themselves temporarily out of work through no fault of their own. Of those Canadians, 80% are eligible for benefits.
The most important thing is helping Canadians find jobs. That is why we have invested in active measures in employment insurance. That is why we have invested in the Canada jobs fund. That is why we have invested in the opportunities fund for Canadians with disabilities. That is why we have made the youth employment strategy a permanent program.