Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member rightly pointed out, the information is with the RCMP and those questions are best put there.
House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Human Resources Development February 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member rightly pointed out, the information is with the RCMP and those questions are best put there.
Human Resources Development February 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, clearly that would be a question for the RCMP.
Research and Development January 30th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, good public policy is based on sound research. That is why I am glad that this week my department is sponsoring a national convention of researchers, public policymakers and practitioners who are interested in issues that touch the lives of Canadians: children and their families; the issues of inclusion, skills and lifelong learning.
I anticipate positive results from this conference that will help us all improve the quality of life of all Canadians.
Employment Insurance January 30th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, ensuring that those who are eligible for employment insurance have access to their benefits in a timely fashion has to be a priority for the government. That is why in response to the softening of the economy and post-September 11 we increased staff, reallocated staff and increased overtime specifically to deal with the increase in employment insurance claims.
In the province of Quebec, where we had a backlog of over 8,000 at the end of September, we have now reduced it to just over 1,700. By the middle of the month we anticipate having the backlog cleared.
Employment Insurance December 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, another important aspect of the expansion of the benefits the government has provided is the fact that we have done it without increasing costs. As the Minister of Finance has said, in every year for the last eight years we have been able to reduce employment insurance premiums.
Again, if the government of Quebec chooses to add to that very strong base, it is welcome to do so.
Employment Insurance December 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we are very proud of the fact that we have been able to double parental benefits to ensure that all Canadians, including those living in the province of Quebec, now have the choice to stay at home with their newborns or their newly adopted children for up to a year.
As I have always said, if the government of Quebec, wishes to add to that important addition in the employment insurance system, it is welcome to do so.
Guaranteed Income Supplement December 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, perhaps the hon. member would be interested to know that in Quebec alone my department's outreach workers have directly contacted 600,000 clients to explain old age security and guaranteed income supplement.
He would be interested to know that in Quebec alone 2,000 service providers and seniors' groups are working with us to get the news out about these important pension programs. I would expect that the hon. member's constituents would ask him and want him to join us in that constructive endeavour.
Guaranteed Income Supplement December 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, there are two important things. The guaranteed income supplement has been a part of the pension structure for the last 30 years and since the very beginning there has been a retroactivity provision. This provision is the same provision, or in some cases better, as the provisions that are provided in the Canada pension plan and the Quebec pension plan.
We do want to support and serve Canadian seniors well and I believe with the structures we have in place we are doing just that.
Guaranteed Income Supplement December 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, indeed Canadian seniors expect justice and Canadian seniors appreciate the program of pension structures in place to support them.
The job here is to make sure those benefits that are so important are known to seniors.
I would point out that as a result of the programs we, myself along with my colleague, the minister of revenue, are putting in place, the Ontario Coalition of Senior Citizens' Organization and St. Christopher House are all agreeing that our strategies are the correct ones and they will help us get the news out to Canadian seniors. I would ask the hon. member to join us in that undertaking.
Guaranteed Income Supplement December 14th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, one of the most remarkable achievements in Canadian social policy in recent decades has been the substantial reduction in poverty among seniors.
According to Statistics Canada, the incidence of low income among persons aged 65 and over declined from 20.8% in 1980 to 8.2% in 1999.
Without question, that has a lot to do with programs like the guaranteed income support system. From my point of view I think the best thing we can do together is ensure that all citizens know about the guaranteed income supplement, have access to the information and, if they are eligible, receive those benefits.