Jane Stewart

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Of course you are right, Mr. Speaker, my point being they are completely out of touch with the people.

Canadians understand what this issue is about. They have separated the politics from the substance. They know that it is not about waste. They know where the money is, and Canadians are wondering why that party over there is not spending time on the issues.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I can only say that this member, led by the king of Stornoway—

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

The Prime Minister was absolutely right when he looked at the internal audit and identified that there were 37 projects out of that audit that needed closer review.

We identified overpayments in the area of $5,900, and I am pleased to inform the House that the majority of that has now been returned to the government.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is mixing apples and oranges.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, we will make information available on this file as the right information becomes available.

What is really interesting is that in the week the budget has been presented that party also chooses to ignore it. I gather that it too—

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, what is normal is that I will wait to comment on the details of this program until I have the appropriate information.

Let us be clear that the ridings represented by these members of parliament have benefited tremendously by the help of the Government of Canada and the people of Canada because we know that there are opportunities for us to help them.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am not going to comment further on the details in this program until I have the information that will allow me to do so.

I again remind the hon. member and his party that in every transitional jobs fund and Canada jobs fund program the province of Quebec, headquarters for the Bloc Quebecois, approved of the project, including—

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is aware that we have an outside forensic audit team looking at this particular file. We will report to the House when we have information.

When we look at the province of Quebec and find that the majority of grants and contributions are in Bloc ridings, we know that there is no intention here to do anything except to support the people of that province who need help.

[Human Resources Development, March 1st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is making reference to a few projects that we are handling with the appropriate authorities. There are thousands of projects that are making a difference in the lives of Canadians.

What is absolutely clear by the questions being asked by that party is that they do not believe that the Government of Canada can support individuals. They talk about briefs. What we know to be true is that this is money that will help Canadians with disabilities, young people and people who do not have a chance for a job. We on this side of the House believe in those investments.

[Human Resources Development, February 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to report again that of the thousands of grants and contributions that we make in communities across this country, they are working. I am also glad to report again to the House that whenever we receive information, either from within the department or outside the department, if there are things that others need to look at, like the police, we send it to the police.

I am glad to report to the House that whenever we find the circumstances for an overpayment, we go after the money and we return it to the Government of Canada.