House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Employment Insurance March 13th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, we are in favour of ensuring that employment insurance benefits are not used in favour of one or another party when there is a labour dispute.
I would note that the 85% rule is the court's interpretation of a fair business resumption and is now recognized in legislation as regulation 53. Indeed it provides an objective test of when unemployment caused by a labour dispute has ended. It does not favour either the employer or the employees.
Points Of Order February 27th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The opposition parties rarely make it clear which projects they are referring to when they ask questions in the House.
Just for the clarity of the House I would like to confirm that when I am speaking about a grant that went to the Auberge Grand-Mère I am talking about 19 jobs that are sustained there and for the Auberge des Gouverneurs it is 74 jobs.
Employment February 27th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member seems to think that it is acceptable for Canadians not to be fully represented in the Government of Canada and its public service.
On this side of the House we categorically reject it. We will not rest until all Canadians, as I said, see themselves as part of this government and its public service.
Employment February 27th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, time and again members of that party talk about racism. They talk about reverse discrimination.
We believe special measures are necessary. It is not about reverse discrimination. It is about reversing discrimination. We want to ensure that all Canadians can see themselves in the public sector because that is good for the country.
Business Development Bank Of Canada February 27th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, a couple of very important things. First, in his report last fall the auditor general concluded “In our view the project met the TJF criteria”.
Second, and perhaps most important, it may have been a risky project but today 74 people are working who would not have been working otherwise.
Business Development Bank Of Canada February 27th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, this was about assisting an area of extraordinarily high unemployment. This was a program that was put in place to recognize the importance of tourism in an area of Quebec that needed help.
This was an undertaking that has been discussed many times in the House, an undertaking that has provided employment for citizens in a very high area of unemployment in Quebec. It is a project that we continue to support.
Grants And Contributions February 27th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is incorrect in her assertion. Let me just review the facts.
The facts are that the project met the terms and conditions of the program. The facts are that $164,000 were invested in the project. The facts are that 19 jobs were created. There were other partners, the caisse populaire and the FDQ solidarity fund, and the project was fully supported by the provincial PQ government.
Employment Insurance February 23rd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, it is very important to ensure that those receiving employment insurance benefits are indeed eligible for them. In certain cases where there are family organizations we have to ensure that there is an arm's length relationship. We will continue to do this in an effective way.
I would like to confirm that very few are turned down, but in the interest of applying and ensuring the act is adhered to the minister of revenue does these investigations.
Employment Insurance February 22nd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, how can the hon. member be so stubborn as to say to his constituents that their only future is to rely on employment insurance? That is not a future at all. Benefits need to be there and they will be there.
However, it is about more than that. It is about working together with the provinces and with communities to diversify economies so everyone can benefit.
Employment Insurance February 22nd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, what the members on the other side of the House do not seem to realize is that employment insurance is but one tool that we use. It is a very important tool but it is there for Canadians who find themselves between jobs.
Another very important part of the formula is to build with economic development a diversified economy in the communities in Quebec and in New Brunswick. We are doing just that.