Jane Stewart

[Social Insurance Numbers, October 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we have been acting. Indeed, I welcome the recommendations of the Auditor General and agree with them.

Post-September 11 we are living in a different world and as such we need different measures. That is why today we have announced that effective today we will only accept original documents for applicants for the social insurance number. If a social insurance number has not been used in the last five years, it will be deactivated. I am seeking regulatory authority to put an expiry date on the 900-series social insurance numbers.

[Guaranteed Income Supplement, October 3rd, 2002]

Again, Mr. Speaker, let me clarify for the hon. member that as a result of a new relationship between my department and the information that is held by the Minister of National Revenue, we have been able to better identify seniors who may be eligible for the guaranteed income supplement but in the past have not applied.

It is because of this new relationship and a sharing of information that is appropriate and responsive to personal information and its protection that we have identified these seniors and have corresponded with them directly so that they can have access to the benefit.

[Guaranteed Income Supplement, October 3rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, it has never been the intention of the government to deny seniors access to very important benefits like the guaranteed income supplement.

The hon. member will know that as of late there have been over 100,000 documents sent to seniors who may well be eligible for this supplement. They have returned their forms and I can say that over 70,000 will now be in receipt of that vital supplement.

[Employment, October 1st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, each year many Canadians face the challenge of going to work and also being responsible for looking after a gravely ill child or a parent.

The hon. member might be interested to know that 77% of Canadians taking care of gravely ill family members took time off work and 56% took leave without pay.

Helping Canadians find a balance between the workplace and family is a priority for the government. The hon. member can rest assured that we will look for the appropriate solutions in concert with the private sector.

[Employment Insurance, October 1st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada wants to ensure that all Canadian mothers are able to benefit fully from maternity and parental benefits. We are therefore providing over $1.3 million in funding for a pilot project to help mothers who do not have full access to benefits. The pilot project will help some 400 women over the next three years.

I thank the member for Portneuf and the other members for their assistance on this important issue.

[Softwood Lumber, June 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, let me say again that real assistance is in place. It is there through the employment insurance program. It is there with the $13 million that has been set aside in the province of British Columbia specifically to assist these workers in their continuing skills development. Again, as I have said, if more needs to be done, more will be done.

[Softwood Lumber, June 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, there can be no doubt that the government is very concerned about the impact of the trade dispute on softwood lumber workers in British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, really wherever the industry is found.

I want to assure the hon. member that currently the employment insurance system is strong and the vast majority of those workers in the industry will be eligible for employment insurance benefits. As I have said over and over again in the House, we are following the circumstances. We are tracing the employment insurance beneficiaries directly and if more needs to be done, more will be done.

[Guaranteed Income Supplement, June 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, we have had a consistent approach of ensuring that Canadian seniors do know about the programs that are there for them.

I have just itemized one particular new advancement in our relationship with seniors. We are working at the community level with other organizations to make sure seniors are aware of these programs.

I am surprised the hon. member presents his question in such a fashion. Rather, at home he was scaring seniors, suggesting that the Government of Canada would not make sure that these programs would be there for them and I would ask him to apologize for that very dastardly tactic.

[Guaranteed Income Supplement, June 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows full well that the department is working aggressively to identify those Canadian seniors who are eligible for the guaranteed income supplement.

I am happy to say that as a result of a new approach and a new relationship with the department of revenue we have been able to identify those seniors who may be eligible. We have sent them a very simple form, which they have returned to the department. In very short order they will be receiving this very important benefit.

[Human Resources Development, June 17th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect their different levels of government to work productively and efficiently together in support of their needs. That is why today I am very pleased to announce a strong partnership with the government of Nova Scotia directly in support of older workers in the province of Nova Scotia.

The Government of Canada will provide $733,000 for programs like the Cape Breton older worker adjustment service centres that will be opened in Sydney, North Sydney and in Glace Bay as well as the seasoned employee education and development skills centre in Halifax.

This is recognition that older workers have strong competencies and will and need to contribute to a continuing strong workforce.