Jane Stewart

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, what Canadians are interested in is ensuring that we do fix the problem in my department so that there is appropriate paperwork that confirms the important decisions that we make on their behalf. What Canadians are interested in is separating the politics on this issue from the substance and getting on with the important business of this country. What Canadians are interested in is ensuring that the Government of Canada is there when they need it and as long as we are in power, it will be.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, members of that party can raise individual circumstances. They can talk about this but we know they are not interested in our work, in improving the administration of my department.

What we know is true is that they do not believe that the Government of Canada should assist in areas like Atlantic Canada and the Acadian Peninsula to help men and women who do not have the opportunity to work. What we know is that they would cut $15 billion out of social programs because they think everyone should be able to look after themselves. What we know is that they call these programs wasteful when indeed we know they make a difference in the lives of Canadians.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, indeed programs are approved daily and so we have changes in the list every single day. Recognizing this we included with these lists information and direct lines. Members of parliament can call an MP hot line. They can use e-mail. They can raise questions here and I can follow up on them so that we can continue to provide members of the House with the most current information.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, again I would refer the hon. member to the notes that accompanied these lists. As we have said all along, programs can change.

The lists are prepared in response to direct questions by those asking for information, but I can confirm that this information is as current as was available when we printed the list. I would say to the hon. member that if he has specific questions to bring them forward and we will respond to them.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I have a very long list of questions that I would ask. Does the hon. member think that money to the Society for the Treatment of Autism where we had a summer program counsellor employed is the wrong thing to do, or perhaps with the Interfaith Youth and Family Services Society where a social worker was employed to help citizens?

There is a very long list here. They should tell us if they want to go to these organizations and tell them that what they are doing is a waste of money.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, that party talks about these projects being wasteful. Does the hon. member think that it was a waste to support the United Farmers of Alberta so that they could have a young person helping them and working with them on important projects? Does she think it was a waste to support the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary with a computer literacy training project assisted by a—

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I reject the allegations made by the hon. member. If she has particular questions on the list we will be glad to answer them, as we have always said.

Let us look at some of the projects in the city of Calgary.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, as was made abundantly clear when we issued the 10,000 projects so that members of parliament could know where the investments were being made in their ridings, this list was not a master list because there was never a master list. We have brought information from seven different data bases in order to comply with a request from members.

When we look at these lists we do find projects in the ridings of this member and the members in that party. I would like to know, when they talk about waste, which of those projects they would have cancelled.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I say again that we are looking into this file and we will have the appropriate facts; but let us not forget that as a result of this program, supported by the Government of Quebec, we have made a real difference in the lives of Quebecers in all the Bloc ridings, whether it be through general grants and contributions or whether it be through the transitional jobs fund and the Canada jobs fund.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, what I want to ensure is that I have all the correct facts, and before I make further comment on this file I will have the correct facts.