Jane Stewart

[Human Resources Development, September 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, very clearly the Minister of Industry has indicated that he will take action in this regard.

Let me say again that on a number of occasions in the House I said very clearly that the administrative weaknesses in my department were unacceptable. I would note however that we have implemented and are implementing an aggressive and comprehensive program. Most recently, a third party in PricewaterhouseCoopers has identified that we are on track in meeting our commitment to Canadians.

[Employment Insurance, September 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, indeed the hon. member is correct. The economy is doing extremely well. We want to make sure that the economy does well in his part of the country as well. That means for sure having employment insurance there for seasonal workers when they need it, but it also means working on the ground with employers and employees to build a new economy on the north shore of Quebec.

I have asked the hon. member to join me and his constituents and employers to deal with the issue because if we do not things will just carry on as is. For this side of the House that is unacceptable.

[Employment Insurance, September 18th, 2000]

Not at all, Mr. Speaker. Today, I met with representatives of those workers and we had a good discussion on the problems faced by seasonal workers. I can say that we share the same objectives. I invited them to work with my department to find lasting local solutions and I hope they will accept the invitation.

[Employment Insurance, September 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, the hon. member will know that by statute, every five years we have to review the employment insurance boundaries. We are implementing those changes as we speak.

We are very concerned about the impact of these changes on seasonal workers in western New Brunswick and on the north shore of Quebec. Last week I along with my colleagues, the ministers of revenue and labour, were pleased to announce changes that will transition us over four years to these new boundaries. That is absolutely out of respect for the impact that these have on seasonal workers.

[Human Resources Development, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I think it has been agreed that the appropriate way to access those invoices is through the access to information process. The opposition understands, as everyone does, that this is an arm's length undertaking. I can confirm that any information that can be made available, will be made available as time permits.

[Human Resources Development, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with the House some words on the Canadian Alliance website. Their lead page starts like this:

Throughout most of the last century the Government of Canada was dominated by the Liberal Party. Particularly throughout the 1990s the people of Canada saw no viable, electable alternative.

I would like to say that after six months of attacking my department, the Canadian Alliance has proved two things: first, that this government is prepared to take administrative issues seriously because we are accountable; and two, that it does not believe that investing in Canadians is the right thing to do. That party sees it as a waste.

[Human Resources Development, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I have always tried to be straightforward in my responses.

Today I would continue to reiterate the fact that the transitional jobs fund and the Canada jobs fund have created opportunities for Canadians that would not have otherwise been there.

I would reiterate the fact that the investments that we make through our youth programs have made a difference in the lives of youth, particularly youth at risk.

I would reiterate the fact that we are focused and, together with our partners, we are making a difference to ensure that Canadians with disabilities have a chance to participate in what we know to be one of the greatest economies in recent years and country with the lowest unemployment levels in—

[Persons With Disabilities, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the question gives me the opportunity to share with the House the importance of the opportunities fund, a fund that makes sure that Canadians with disabilities have the chance to get employment opportunities.

If I understand the question properly, the hon. member has raised the issue about a certain organization in the province of Quebec before. We continue to work with that organization in support of disabled Canadians.

Surely, however, she wants to ensure that accountability structures are appropriate.

[Human Resources Development, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that it is the hon. member who should be embarrassed.

First, here again he reiterates the falsehood that $1 billion is missing. It is not. He reiterates the fact that they think the access to information request spawned the audit. It did no such thing. That was discussed in this House many months ago. Again we see the reiteration of falsehoods and misdirection.

Those members talk about draft reports. If they would take the time to look at the facts, to see the progress, to see the actual results of the work, they would understand that things have been taken into hand and are in much better shape today than they were.

[Human Resources Development, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I can only be amused that after six months we are still back where we started.

I can say that again we see unsupported allegations being repeated and repeated and repeated. Repetition does not make things true.

If those members would take the time to actually look at the facts where indeed we made the report public, where we have taken action to improve the administration of the department and where we have defended and strengthened grants and contributions in this country, they would see that things have been done. We have taken leadership and we are doing the right thing.