Jane Stewart

[Human Resources Development, April 7th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, indeed this is very serious and I want to say to the House very clearly that the position of my department, formally and informally, in writing and verbally, is that the law will be obeyed.

Let me continue to quote from the formal directive of February 16 that states:

It should be clear and apparent on the file what changes have been made to the file and the date the change was made.

If the hon. member has proof which would suggest that this is not being done, I would very much appreciate him bringing it forward because I will act on it very aggressively.

[Human Resources Development, April 7th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, again the hon. member forgets that we are working with the auditor general, an independent office of the House. The auditor general has helped us to develop the six point plan and is watching us implement the six point plan. In October he will be reporting the results of his study of the grants and contributions plan.

[Human Resources Development, April 7th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, as I looked at the transcripts from the committee yesterday, I saw that the representatives from the union were saying that I, as the minister, was taking it seriously and that the opposition should let me get on with doing the job of fixing the problems.

[Human Resources Development, April 7th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. If the hon. member has proof that there is wrongdoing in my department, I want her to give it to me so we can deal with it expeditiously. If she has proof, let her bring it forward.

[Human Resources Development, April 7th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am very glad to be able to set the record straight. Human resources development employees have been instructed, as always, to obey the law. It is clear that we are reviewing our files. Part of our six point plan and our commitment to Canadians is to improve the system.

I would like to quote factually from a directive of February 16, 2000, which clearly states “Documents currently on file are not to be altered. If an amendment to an active agreement is required a formal amendment should be filed and dated the day of the amendment”.

[Parental Leave, April 5th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, let us look at what we have done. First and foremost, we have doubled the parental benefit to a year. Parents can be home for a year.

We have reduced the number of hours required to get special benefits from 700 hours to 600 hours. We have tripled the amount of time that adoptive parents will be home with their children. We have taken away the second waiting period required. Then perhaps the dad can be home with the child.

We are making it very clear to Canadians that we understand the challenges between workplace and family. We are doing something about it for all Canadians.

[Employment Insurance, April 4th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, we are very sensitive to the plight of seasonal workers. Let us face it, the best insurance for them is job creation, economic development and skills training.

That is why in 1997 we conferred $240 million to the province of New Brunswick to use in assisting seasonal workers and others in the province to get the employment they need. I am glad to say that I have had the chance to visit the Acadian peninsula and have received a report jointly done with the men and women who live in that area and my department. We will be looking at that report to see if there is more we can do.

[Parental Leave, April 4th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's question gives me a chance to remind the House that it was in the Speech from the Throne that this government indicated it would double parental benefits. Only four months later in the budget, we have made that a reality. Between now and the end of the year parental benefits for Canadians will double. The opportunities to make them more accessible and flexible will be there.

The job that I have is to ensure that this undertaking is done well for all Canadians, including those in Quebec.

[Human Resources Development, April 4th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, again I can confirm that we have reviewed this file in detail at the highest level in the department and there was no establishment of an overpayment.

Again, I want to point out that there are approximately 78 people working on this undertaking who would not be working if we had taken the approach of that side of the House.

[Human Resources Development, April 4th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, we have provided a considerable amount of information to the House on all the files related to grants and contributions. If the hon. member wants more detailed information in this regard, there are appropriate avenues that can be followed.