Jane Stewart

[Employment Insurance, April 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary. The government has ensured that the employment insurance system is there and has responded to the needs of Canadian workers. That is why we review the program every year and make changes to it where changes are warranted.

I would ask the hon. member to pay attention to the program in its entirety, to look at all the details in the separate different programs that are there to support Canadian youth, older workers and others, because we understand full well when an individual Canadian finds himself or herself between jobs, the employment insurance system must be there to assist him or her.

[Employment Insurance, April 28th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I can confirm for the hon. member and for the House that the employment insurance system is there and is working well for all Canadian employees. The system, as it is designed, covers fully 88% of Canadians who may be in need of it.

I would remind the hon. member that every year $2 billion is conveyed to provinces and territories for active measures, through EI part II, and another $9 million, through EI part I, in direct benefits.

[Health, April 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have a lot of friends here. I believe this question is on SARS.

I can assure members that the Government of Canada recognizes the seriousness of the issue. Employment insurance is there to help eligible workers who may be directly affected by SARS. We have amended the employment insurance regulations to remove the usual two week waiting period for SARS related cases. It would be my recommendation and suggestion to any who want information that they contact our offices, either through the Internet or through our 1-800 telephone number.

[Guaranteed Income Supplement, April 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, I have itemized for this place the numbers of different strategies that we have to ensure that Canadian seniors are aware of the programs that are there to support them in their senior years.

I would remind the hon. member that it is precisely because of these programs that we have been able to reduce poverty among Canadian seniors from a level of over 20% in 1980 to just over 7% in the year 2000.

[Guaranteed Income Supplement, April 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, let me speak generally to the issue of ensuring that the programs that are so important to Canadian seniors are available to them. The government, through my department and other sources, speaks to Canadian seniors in many ways to ensure that they are aware of the programs, whether it be the old age security program, the Canada pension program, or the guaranteed income supplement. We are fully aware of how important these programs are to seniors and we will continue to work for their benefit.

[Social Programs, April 2nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to see the government of Saskatchewan announce a 45% increase to its kids first program in its budget last week. This comes with the support of a $29 million transfer from the Government of Canada to the province that will help increase the number of regulated child care spaces as well as subsidize Saskatchewan parents to access these spaces.

This is an example of good federal-provincial relations in support of our youngest citizens. I hope that we will see such announcements from other provinces in the months to come.

[Guaranteed Income Supplement, March 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week I itemized for the House three particular strategies that the government undertakes to ensure that Canadians who are eligible for pensions know about their eligibility. I can add to that list.

In 1999 we sent out 56,000 letters to seniors over 65 who are entitled but have not applied for CPP to remind them to apply. We have done another mail out to seniors over 65 and it has already started for this year. The hon. member will be interested to know that in the year 2001-02 we sent out 12.9 million statements of contributions to contributors to these programs.

We are anxious to be sure that--

[Canada Pension Plan, March 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that all who are qualified receive the Canada pension benefits to which they are eligible.

The facts are these. Every single year we mail old age security and Canada pension plan applications to people who are turning 64 so they can apply for benefits. The fact is that every year we send information on our pension programs with CPP and OAS T4 statements to 4.5 million Canadians.

Every year we distribute some 250,000 brochures and fact sheets across Canada at various seniors events and through our human resources centres.

I would like to thank all the members of Parliament who, on a regular basis, speak with their constituents to provide them with important information.

[Softwood Lumber, March 21st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said on a number of occasions, the department is following very closely the issues that are facing workers in the softwood lumber industry, particularly as a result of the dispute with the United States.

The hon. member would be interested to know that a recent Statistic Canada labour force survey indicates that in the Province of British Columbia lumber job levels increased by 14% between January 2002 and January 2003. The number of EI claims in B.C. continue to be lower than in the previous year.

That being said, we are there with programs through employment insurance and working to ensure that the workforce is supported through this difficult time.

[Child Care, March 21st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, last week I was thrilled to reach agreement with provinces and territories on a national plan to improve the quality and accessibility of regulated early learning and child care in Canada.

Provinces and territories have agreed to invest the $900 million announced in the recent federal budget to create new spaces in regulated child care centres, private homes and nurseries, to increase subsidies that assist parents in meeting the costs of this care, or to increase compensation for givers of regulated care.

This is another example of the Government of Canada's commitment to make sure that our youngest citizens have the very best possible first start in their lives.