House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Employment Insurance June 6th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, we have just introduced and passed amendments to the Employment Insurance Act that support seasonal workers right across the country. The Bloc voted against that.
We introduced legislation that reduced the number of hours required to get special benefits. The Bloc voted against it.
We introduced legislation, which passed, to double parental benefits. The Bloc voted against it. There is absolutely no credibility from the Bloc on EI.
Employment Insurance June 6th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I would ask the Bloc to give us a single, good reason why it voted to keep the intensity rule in place. It was members on this side of the House who worked very hard to ensure that the changes to the Employment Insurance Act were introduced in the House and that they received speedy passage. It is the Bloc that has blocked our attempts time and time again.
Employment Insurance June 6th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois has little credibility left, when it comes to employment insurance. One day it votes in favour of maintaining the intensity rule, while the next day it claims that changes should be made to the employment insurance program to help seasonal workers.
Will that party now admit that it made a mistake when it voted against Bill C-2 and seasonal workers?
Employment Insurance June 5th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, we have received the report. If the hon. member would reread the report, he would see that it asks the government to consider a number of recommendations. That is exactly what we will do.
Again, they talk about the importance of employment insurance to workers. On this side we know how important it is. That is why, quickly after being elected, we introduced the amendments we would have passed last fall if that party had supported us.
Employment Insurance June 5th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I think Bloc members need to go home and explain to their constituents why they were against repealing the intensity rule. I think they need to go home and explain to their constituents why, on the very day that their amendments to Bill C-2 were being presented, they voted to suspend the House. I think they need to explain to their constituents back home why so many witnesses supported us with Bill C-2.
Today they are playing politics. Last fall they were playing politics. On this side of the House we have made changes, and very good ones.
Employment Insurance June 4th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the track record on this side of the House is very clear. We made significant changes to the Employment Insurance Act, not the least of which was the doubling of parental benefits and, as I pointed out, the changes under Bill C-2.
As we were trying to pass Bill C-2, it was the Bloc that actually voted for the House to close down. Where is its interest when it comes to employment insurance?
Employment Insurance June 4th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member rightly states that the government recently passed Bill C-2, where we repealed the intensity rule, where we made changes to the clawback initiative, and where we made it easier for parents to get benefits upon re-entry into the workplace.
Where were they? They were blocking that act. From my point of view I think members of the Bloc have a lot to respond to in their own constituencies.
Employment Insurance May 31st, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as I said, on this side of the House we understand the importance and use of employment insurance, but we also believe that the most important tool is a job.
That is why we are working directly with communities. I and my colleague responsible for economic development in the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick are working to assist specific communities build a stronger economy and to focus on ensuring that the men and women living in their communities have access to work.
Employment Insurance May 31st, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I remind the hon. member that just recently we passed Bill C-2 in which we repealed the intensity rule. That does have a direct impact on seasonal workers.
As the hon. member points out, the issue of seasonal work is one that pertains to particular regions across the country. That is why we are working, region by region, with communities to help diversify the economy and find new solutions for employment for Canadians living in those parts of the country.
Employment Insurance May 31st, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the government understands the importance of employment insurance to Canadians. I think it is clear to the House and to Canadians that this is important to us, because every year we monitor and assess the impact of employment insurance on citizens across the country.
As part of the informed debate, the work of the committee will be considered and the views of the committee are part and parcel of the monitoring and assessment of this very important program.