Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will know from reading the same media reports that I read that this file is under investigation. As such it is inappropriate for me to make further comment.
House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Human Resources Development September 27th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will know from reading the same media reports that I read that this file is under investigation. As such it is inappropriate for me to make further comment.
Employment Insurance September 27th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, we are extraordinarily proud on this side of the House of the direction of the government and the doubling of parental benefits that will come into effect at the end of this year. We are going to do it within the context of the employment insurance system without raising premiums and in fact, by continuing as referenced in the budget to reduce premiums.
I would point out that the Institute for Research on Public Policy has indicated that the government of Quebec ought to consider the possibility of setting up a program in Quebec that would be independent of and complementary to the Canadian program.
Employment Insurance September 27th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member pointed out, as a result of our expansion of parental benefits we also looked at the circumstances facing women returning to the workplace having had children. We made changes there. We continue to look at the impact of the amendments made back in 1996. Where there is evidence that we can have an improved system we will make changes.
Employment Insurance September 27th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, again I point out that unemployment in the country has come down significantly since the government took office. As I have said on a number of occasions, I have been listening to groups representing seasonal workers, for example, and monitoring an assessment report gives us guidance.
As I have always said and as the government has committed, if there are indications that we need to make our system more efficient we will do that.
Employment Insurance September 27th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I remind the hon. member that since the government came to power in 1993 the unemployment levels for young people in Canada have dropped significantly.
A lot of that had to do with the investments the government is making right across the country, including in the province of Quebec on behalf of young people, particularly youth at risk who have not been able to find their place in our Canadian society. We will continue to do that.
Employment Insurance September 27th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, the government stands firmly behind the principles that motivated the 1996 employment insurance amendments.
We believe in building a fairer employment insurance system. We believe in building an employment insurance system that responds to the changing dynamics of the new economy. We believe in monitoring the impact of those amendments and making changes as changes are warranted.
Employment Insurance September 27th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will know that we have given notice of our intent to present amendments to the Employment Insurance Act in the near future. I would ask him to wait and see what that package looks like.
Employment Insurance September 26th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, clearly the hon. member thinks that the only solution for seasonal workers is more employment insurance.
As I have said time and again, if we find there are indications that we can be more efficient with employment insurance and that changes are necessary we will make them.
It is not that nothing has changed. The Minister of Labour and I have visited his community. We have community organizations working diligently and finding successful their work in providing and creating new opportunities for work for seasonal employees. I wish the hon. member would put some focus on that.
Child Care September 26th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member does not have to listen to me. Perhaps she would rather listen to the NDP premier in British Columbia who said thank you to the federal government for coming through with more money, not just for broader health care but for children.
What we are trying to do across the country, and particularly in British Columbia, is essentially build a better future for our children. It is important that we recognize that what happened in Ottawa this week is a very good beginning for doing the further work that needs to be done in this area. In British Columbia the money will be used for child care.
Child Care September 26th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, the investments that the government has made on behalf of our youngest citizens are quite extraordinary. We are celebrating an agreement made on September 11 among all leaders of the country where they put children first.
This government has identified $2.2 billion that will be transferred to the provinces and the territories precisely to build new opportunities, services and accessibility for our youngest citizens. I do not know where the hon. member has been.