House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1997, with 56% of the vote.
Social Programs February 2nd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the provinces are not being pressured. On the contrary, they are asking the federal government to respond to their efforts to develop new approaches to the social security system.
It is the Bloc Quebecois, in this House, that is rejecting the reform process, thereby isolating itself on this issue. Surely you are aware that all of the Quebec newspapers, Le Soleil, Le Droit and others, have published articles stating that the time for reform is now.
Social Programs February 2nd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, what we have been saying together is that there are much more effective ways of delivering government services.
In particular I point out to the hon. member that in discussions with provinces there are many ways to eliminate the repetition or duplication of services and to work out more rational ways of delivering services.
These are all parts of our efforts and attempts to have a new partnership of federalism in Canada so that not only can we begin to save taxpayers' money but we can also give better service.
Agriculture February 1st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I say to the hon. member for Lisgar-Marquette that in a time when the difficulties we face in this area are very sensitive it does not help for members of Parliament to be trying to inflame opinion or trying to pit one group against another.
It is very important in statements made in the House that we recognize the two parties to the dispute must be encouraged to come back to the table to exercise their responsibilities under collective bargaining.
In the meantime the government is carefully monitoring the situation. We are prepared to offer mediation services as soon as the two parties make a request. We will certainly keep in mind the public interest of Canadians. Of that the member can be assured.
Agriculture February 1st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I say to the hon. member for Lisgar-Marquette that my statement yesterday did not indicate that a settlement was in sight. I said a settlement was possible because the parties were not that far apart.
What is going to be required is a real good sense of public interest in their responsibilities and a recognition that under the collective bargaining process all parties to the dispute have a responsibility not only to themselves but to the entire country.
Labour Disputes January 31st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I find that question exceedingly strange from a spokesperson for a party which claims its great fealty and belief in the private sector system is so opposed to collective bargaining which is a free decision between business and labour to arrive at a proper settlement. That party should get its act straight and its position straight before it starts asking these kinds of questions.
What we are saying is that we are looking at the situation very carefully. The federal government is very concerned. However we do believe, because the parties are so close to negotiation, that if they do bargain in good faith there could be an agreement and the grain could flow.
Labour Disputes January 31st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, because the matter of the labour strike comes under my responsibilities I would be more than happy, if less adequate than my colleague, the Minister of Agriculture, to answer the member's question.
What is happening right now is the basis of a long and drawn out negotiation that we have been watching. We have provided conciliation officers in the past. The parties as they reported this weekend are not that far apart and could settle their differences very quickly if they went back to the table.
While we recognize the gravity of the situation, there is a collective bargaining process we believe is important to honour. However, the government will stand by and monitor carefully. If the parties want mediation services we will be more than happy to provide them. We really believe that in this case labour and management can come to an agreement through honest collective bargaining.
Small Business January 31st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, in answer to the hon. member's question, it is very useful to set out the initiatives already taken. We have shifted the funding formula to targets, specifically small business in western Canada, and have used a part of the portfolio to begin working directly with industry based groups so that we can help them develop export markets.
To give one example, on Friday I met with all the provincial ministers of western economic development where we discussed how we can work together and collaborate on joint programs. We announced at that time a joint program to aid the agri-food processing industry of western Canada to develop its export markets in the United States.
That is a clear example of working with industry, working with a province, getting good value for our money and creating jobs for westerners.
Social Programs January 31st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say to the hon. member that there is no contradiction. What we are saying very clearly is that if one takes a broad approach to these programs one can achieve a saving in the way we deliver them. One can achieve a saving by getting people back to work.
However, to do that one must invest in the people themselves. I would suggest that rather than simply cherry picking one point or other of the speech, I recommend that he read the entire speech. I am sure that he will find it really quite thrilling.
Social Programs January 31st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should look at the entire speech. We set out a series of very specific objectives and goals that we wanted to achieve.
One is to achieve more effectiveness, more efficiency in the delivery of programs, to end duplication, to overcome a lot of overlap and to find better ways of delivering dollars to those who need them. Those are clear ways in which money can be saved but that is not the only objective.
The real objective and the real saving comes when we can get the three million Canadians who last year had to depend on some form of unemployment insurance or social security to find a good job, to have some hope and to have good training.
The real saving to Canada is when it makes full use of its human resources. That is when we will really have a saving. There is a bigger human deficit than a fiscal deficit in Canada today.
Social Programs January 31st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, all members of the task force will have a strong sense of fiscal responsibility and a strong sense of social responsibility.