Jane Stewart

[Employment Insurance, November 5th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, indeed we have not ignored the work of the committee. That is why we are making the small weeks provisions permanent. That is why we have made changes to the undeclared earnings provisions of the act.

In addition to providing income support through the employment insurance system, our members of parliament are on the ground in their communities working with community organizations to help increase and diversify the economies in their parts of Canada. I only wish the hon. member would do the same thing.

[Employment Insurance, November 5th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the government does appreciate it and in fact has been responsive to the concerns of seasonal workers. Indeed, we eliminated the intensity rule in Bill C-2 when we made changes to the clawback provision to make it fairer.

I would remind the hon. member that the fundamental change from a weeks based system to an hours based system has directly benefited seasonal workers by increasing the length of their entitlement. He would be interested to know that their average weekly benefits are about 8% higher than those of other claimants.

[Employment Insurance, November 1st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the hon. member that in addition to income supports we transferred to the government of Quebec almost half a billion dollars for it to use specifically in circumstances like this to help deal with challenges region by region.

I would also note that the hon. member has in his own hands an opportunity to participate with us in communities in Quebec that are faced with challenges in the area of seasonal work. As I did at committee, I would encourage him to work with us to find local solutions to these local problems.

[Employment Insurance, November 1st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I would note that we are concerned about the potential impact of the recent decision in the softwood lumber question and the impact it may have on workers in this sector. We are fortunate in Canada that we have an employment insurance system that is strong and flexible and is there to help Canadians who find themselves without employment.

We anticipate that the majority of Canadians working in the softwood lumber sector will be eligible for employment insurance should they need it.

[Employment Insurance, October 25th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary. As a result of the fiscal measures the government has taken, the employment insurance program is there now for Canadians should they need it.

The system is flexible. Every four months it is reviewed. If there is so much as an increase of one-tenth of a per cent in unemployment, the system changes. Entrance requirements are reduced and the benefits duration is elongated. The system is designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of Canadians.

[Employment Insurance, October 25th, 2001]

Yes, Mr. Speaker, and Canadians can count on a reliable and effective employment insurance program that has been around for 60 years.

Employment insurance is designed to adapt quickly and automatically to local labour market fluctuations. Eligibility is reviewed every four weeks, based on the latest unemployment statistics.

The system is there and it is working for Canadians.

[Committees of the House, October 24th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 109, I am pleased to submit herewith two copies, in both official languages, of the government's response to the report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled “Beyond Bill C-2: A Review of Other Proposals to Reform Employment Insurance”, that was tabled in the House on Thursday, May 31.

[Air Canada, October 23rd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to work sharing, I can assure the House that my department is working on a daily basis with Air Canada and its unions. I can tell the House that the information as we receive it we are reviewing quickly. There are also issues which remain on all sides that must yet be resolved.

We appreciate the importance of work sharing to the employees of Air Canada. We will work expeditiously to ensure that our response is in favour of the employees.

[Guaranteed Income Supplement, October 19th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the guaranteed income supplement is a very important part of the Canadian pension structure. Indeed, ensuring that Canadians who are eligible have access to that program is very important.

I believe there are better ways of communicating with Canadian seniors to ensure that those who have eligibility for the GIS have access to it. I recently wrote to my colleague, the Minister of National Revenue, to see if together we could come up with a more effective strategy.

[Employment Insurance, October 19th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, there has been a backlog in the processing of employment insurance claims but there is a process in place in the department and the backlog is being reduced.

Where we have mass layoff circumstances we have particular provisions with dedicated employees who are there to work with particular employees, to go on premises to make sure that the applications are processed quickly and efficiently.