Jane Stewart

[Guaranteed Income Supplement, December 11th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times in the House, the guaranteed income supplement is an important part of the overarching Canadian pension system. I am working with my colleague, the Minister of National Revenue, to ensure that all Canadians who are eligible for that piece of the program know about it.

The hon. member will be interested to know that according to Statistics Canada the incidence of low income among persons aged 65 and over declined from 20.8% in 1980 to 8.9% in 1991. The pension system is there. It is structured to help Canadian seniors.

[Employment Insurance, December 11th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, here again the Bloc is conveniently avoiding the facts when it comes to employment insurance and the actions of the government.

Yesterday's budget commitment to Canadian apprentices was extremely important, extremely well received, and will ensure that apprentices are there to do the work of Canada in the 21st century.

This decision adds to a list of changes that we have made, making small weeks pilot projects a permanent part of the national employment insurance program and changing the regulations on undeclared earnings. The government has never hesitated to make changes and improvements to the employment insurance system.

[The Budget, December 11th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member would be interested to know that as a result of changes and improvements to the employment insurance system made by the government in this fiscal year alone Canadians will be receiving an additional $2.7 billion in income and benefits.

That $2.7 billion may be insignificant to that party, but on this side of the House we know it is making a real difference in the lives of Canadians.

[The Budget, December 11th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the Employment Insurance Commission has indicated that 88% of Canadians in paid employment will be eligible for employment insurance.

I remind the hon. member that the program is flexible and as unemployment rises the eligibility requirements are reduced. The employment insurance fund is there and it is working for Canadians at this time when they may need it.

[Post-Secondary Education, December 10th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the government believes very sincerely that access to post-secondary education is a very important part of the tools Canadians need to participate in a new and modern economy. That is why we introduced the millennium scholarship fund. That is why we have expanded the educational tax credit. That is why we introduced Canada study grants for Canadians with disabilities and for single mothers and parents who want to return to higher education.

Our record is clear. We know that higher education is incredibly important to the future of all Canadians and we want to be there to help them in this regard.

[Guaranteed Income Supplement, December 10th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I reiterate for the hon. member that parts of the guaranteed income supplement that ensure there is retroactivity are consistent with other pension programs, whether it be the CPP or QPP. This approach has been part of this undertaking since the guaranteed income supplement was introduced 30 years ago.

We know full well that the pension structures here in Canada are extraordinarily important to Canadian seniors. They have made a difference in their levels of poverty by reducing them. Our work is to ensure that Canadian seniors know about these programs and have full access to them.

[Guaranteed Income Supplement, December 10th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member would agree with me that the most important thing here is to ensure that Canadian seniors who are eligible for the guaranteed income supplement have access to it.

As he points out, the Minister of National Revenue and I will be working together to use the tax system and the information there to make sure that Canadian seniors who need this important piece of the pension structure have access to it.

[Employment Insurance, December 7th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that I did not need a crystal ball. All members of the House realize that the opportunity for employment insurance claimants to get an advance payment before Christmas is a very important provision in the act.

I can confirm for the hon. member that we will ensure, as has been the case in the past, that EI claimants will be able to request in advance a cheque before Christmas.

[Garanteed Income Supplement, December 7th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, what I will agree with is indeed older workers are a very important part of the Canadian economy and they do deserve our respect. That is why we are so glad and proud of our overarching pension system which has really improved the levels of income for Canadian seniors over the course of the years.

However I cannot accept the accusation made by the member opposite in his question. The government stands firmly behind Canadian seniors, whether it be through pensions or whether it be through our support for them as a older workers, through older worker pilot programs and the employment insurance system.

[Garanteed Income Supplement, December 7th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, the guaranteed income supplement is a very important part of the overarching Canadian pension structure. A one year retroactivity provision has been part of that program since its beginning 30 years ago.

This provision is consistent or more generous than similar provisions in the Canada pension plan, the Quebec pension plan or other federal or provincial income support programs.