House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Grants and Contributions September 15th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, in fact I am very happy with the implementation of our new control plan work around grants and contributions.
Let us be clear here. What we are talking about is individual wrongdoing, employees who have chosen to thwart the system and to cheat the system.
We are working with the RCMP and the police on their investigation. They have asked us not to share full details of the investigations because we want to ensure that it comes to the most appropriate conclusion.
Grants and Contributions September 15th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, it is appalling and it is shocking when we get information about employees who wilfully choose to cheat the system.
In this case the police advised us of the possible involvement of some employees in one of their investigations. We immediately took action, starting our own investigation, bringing in forensic auditors, containing our files and making referrals to the RCMP.
The hon. member will know that we have taken severe disciplinary action up to and including firing. We continue to work with the police on this file, and their investigation continues.
Employment Insurance June 12th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I will repeat again that the Government of Canada treats Canadians fairly no matter where they live. With respect to the Employment Insurance Act and the labour market, indeed those in the softwood lumber industry are being treated the same as other Canadians.
The hon. member makes reference to the waiving of the two week waiting period. Again, that applies only as a health measure. Canadians wanted us to ensure that we stopped the spread of a communicable disease, SARS. Part of that was to provide a waiving of the two week waiting period for those in quarantine so they would stay at home.
Employment Insurance June 12th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the two week waiting period is like a deductible in an insurance program. It is there for a purpose.
Having said that, we consistently have made changes to the employment insurance system to ensure that it is responsive to today's modern labour force. I can itemize the numerous different changes we have made to improve the program. Our focus is to ensure that the program is there for those Canadians who need it when, through no fault of their own, they find themselves laid off.
Government Assistance June 12th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's assertions are just plain incorrect. In fact, we have been working directly with employers and employees using the employment insurance system, whether it be providing income support, working on work share agreements of which we have well over 100 across Canada in these initiatives or whether it be dealing directly with provinces that have moneys through their labour market development agreements or EI part II funds.
We are working to ensure that those who are affected by these challenges have the benefits of the country.
Human Resources Development June 12th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is a proud sponsor of Skills Canada, and 35 young men and women will be participating in the world skills competition in Switzerland this month. This investment is indeed part of our skills and learning agenda that promotes skilled trades as a first choice career for young Canadians.
I know that all hon. members will want to join me in congratulating these young Canadians.
Good luck. We are proud of everyone of them.
Employment Insurance June 11th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we are happy to see that operations have resumed at the Horne foundry. My officials met with the employer and the unions yesterday and the two groups are preparing a joint submission on the production status so that we can determine employment levels and get those who are permanently laid off into pay through employment insurance.
Parental Leave June 10th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the government is responsive to Canadian families and that is why we doubled parental benefits. The hon. member will know, if she looks at the report, that in the first year alone we have had an 80% increase in fathers staying home with their newborns.
As we have always said, we would encourage the provinces to add to our programs whenever they see fit, and such remains the case in this circumstance.
Employment Insurance June 10th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's question gives me an opportunity to advise the House that last week in fact I did have a historic meeting with the ministers of education from the provinces and territories and the ministers of labour together.
We agreed jointly that we need to turn our attention to the issues facing Canadians when it comes to skills and learning. We have four areas upon which the governments of Canada, the provinces and the territories will focus together and provide Canadians with what they need in the 21st century, the knowledge based economy.
Employment Insurance June 10th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. We want to work very closely with the new government in the province of Quebec. I feel very fortunate to have had a personal meeting with Monsieur Béchard last week. It was a full and complete meeting about issues that are important to him and issues that are important to me. I expect that we will continue to work positively together on this issue and many others.