House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • Her favourite word was society.

Last in Parliament October 2000, as Liberal MP for Mount Royal (Québec)

Won her last election, in 1997, with 62% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Borrowing Authority Act, 1994-95 March 7th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to speak on Bill C-14, the borrowing authority which would allow the government to meet its commitments and put into effect its budgetary policy. This statement, this budgetary accounting, indicates the choice our government is making for the next fiscal year and shows some very important fundamental changes.

The agenda before us is a very ambitious one. It is a difficult one and it is taken in a time of economic restraint. Notwithstanding, our main goal has been to create jobs and growth and to be innovative while being fiscally responsible. We also believe that with the co-operation of Canadians we can reduce the deficit to 3 per cent of GDP within three years.

Our agenda and our priorities are no secret. Last fall we laid out our blueprint in the famous Liberal Party policy book. I know some members refer to it as the red book, but for me it is a fundamental policy book. It was our blueprint for job creation, deficit reduction, and a comprehensive policy review. Canadians have looked at it and have given us their approval by electing a strong majority Liberal government for the people, to speak with their voice and for them.

We are turning those promises into action. The budget tabled by the Minister of Finance is based on fairness for all Canadians. It stems from an unprecedented consultation process and dialogue, a process to which the government is firmly committed in many areas. It is an open process of which we can be very proud. Women and women's groups have participated in the process and our voices have been heard.

I am especially happy to point out to the House that the budget addresses a whole series of issues that are very important to women. The government is sensitive to the fact that programs and policies may have a different impact or a different effect on women. That is why we will ensure gender perspective is taken into consideration in all proposed changes undertaken as part of the various policy reviews. I can say that we are wearing gender tinted glasses, for that is what we are doing. Essentially my job is to make very sure that within the machinery of government we maintain that gender tint all along the way.

Women and women's groups have been very important in applying that theory and ensuring within our party that perspective is always kept in balance. This is the first time a budget clearly recognizes that women often bear the brunt of social stress and economic dislocation. It is also the first time that a minister of finance recognizes publicly that there are disparities in our tax system and income system that are detrimental to women.

The comprehensive review of our tax system which we will be undertaking shortly represents a unique opportunity for women to help us correct some of our system's shortcomings, such as the tax treatment of support payments, which are prejudicial to them. It is very important that women and women's groups participate in these consultations because by proceeding with these kinds of reforms, we will succeed in improving the lot of Canadian women and quickening the process of equality for everyone.

Our goal is to build a society in which women will have full access to the economic, political, cultural and legal spheres. I see that you are nodding in agreement, Mr. Speaker. There is no question that equality for women, equity and justice for all are tied to economic independence. Women must have the opportunity to participate in the labour market, to receive equal pay for work of equal value and to contribute fairly to our collective wealth.

The contribution of women to our society and to our economy is enormous. Yet, women are often economically disadvantaged because of the disproportionate burden they must bear as far as family and home are concerned. Today, 60 per cent of Canadian women are active members of the labour force and three-quarters of them hold down full-time employment. This is a rather interesting figure as it reflects the major shift that has occurred in the past twenty years.

Women of diverse ages, origins and cultures make up 45 per cent of Canada's labour force. By the year 2001, it is expected that women will account for nearly two-thirds of all new labour market entrants.

In the short term, our infrastructure program will help to create thousands of jobs. We are increasingly confident that this program will give our economy the needed boost to get back on the prosperity track. This program, by investing in local communities, will create direct and indirect jobs for Canadians and improve the quality of their lives.

Women too have a role to play in the development of legislation by introducing initiatives to increase the safety of their environment. I must say that women also have responsibilities. They must bring pressure to bear on mayors and municipalities so that their needs become a priority at the local level and can then be recognized as a responsibility at the provincial and federal levels. It is up to the mayors, aldermen and women's groups to demand whatever they consider important for their communities. That is part of our local priorities.

The program can be used for building day care centres, which has the triple advantage of creating immediate employment, providing important services to families and leading to long-term employment. We will be ready to go ahead with child care services when the economic growth rate reaches 3 per cent of the GDP.

On the other hand, our infrastructure projects are under review by federal, provincial and territorial co-presidents, as I just said. I can assure you that our representatives have been instructed to assess projects in terms of employment equity. I must thank the President of the Treasury Board for having taken this into consideration, while recognizing the need to take women into account in that regard.

Statistics released in January 1994 show that Canadian women still average only 72 cents for every dollar earned by men for working full time and that immigrant women make only 80 per cent of women's income. That is quite a gap that we will have to address. Women, especially during child bearing years, experience more career interruptions which impact on their advancement in the workplace and their lifelong earning potential.

The budget begins to address the fact that low income earners with dependants, primarily women, need a fairer system and that women live longer and have lower incomes in old age. The proposed changes to the Unemployment Insurance Act are designed to promote job creation, adequacy and fairness. The government has recognized that unemployment insurance programs must be linked to family status, dependants and other needs. As such these programs should be changed to provide assistance to those in greater need.

In today's economic conditions many households are under financial stress even where there are two income earners. More often than men, women tend to earn low wages and have dependants. Increasing UI benefits to 60 per cent for individuals with low earnings and dependants helps women, particularly single parents.

Amending and clarifying how the voluntary quit and misconduct provisions are applied stands to benefit women and improve the fairness of the entire process. That is something we complained about and felt strongly about in the last Parliament.

We recognize that some other changes to the unemployment insurance system may have a detrimental effect given women's weaker attachment to the workforce. However we must remember that these changes are temporary. The Minister of Human Resources Development has already initiated a full review of our social security system. Every measure will be closely examined after extensive consultation in all regions of the country.

In the meantime it is comforting to see business and labour leaders agree that Canada cannot afford to maintain barriers to the full and equal participation of women in the workforce.

In a report published a few days ago the Canadian Labour Market and Productivity Centre makes some recommendations aimed at breaking the principal barriers to women's equality in the workforce. Among other recommendations the report proposes to provide family responsibility leave and extend flexible working arrangements.

When I read the report I thought back to 1967 and the beginnings of the royal commission. I thought how far we had come in some areas, at least in terms of sensitivity if not in terms of complete catch-up. When I read a report from the Canadian Labour Market and Productivity Centre that says that family responsibility leave should be provided and flexible work arrangements extended, I remember when they wanted to count

every head from 9 to 5; employees did not move and could not leave.

Now at least there is some understanding that there has to be a flexible system. Establish a national child care system with professional salaries for child care workers. Reduce the work week possibly to four days with longer paid vacations and limits on overtime to free up jobs for more workers. Reduce stress for women who juggle work and family. Increase access to financing for women entrepreneurs.

There is really big news here. Actually the biggest news, speaking as a mother of four sons, is the fact that my sons can be involved in raising their children in a far more equitable way. I know that is something they look forward to doing.

The recommendations are good. Indeed this government has initiated many of them, including convincing the banks to supply more capital to small business. I know my colleague from Broadview-Greenwood is going to make very sure that the banks are going to listen. I told him what I said to the Royal Bank the other night. Go to it, Dennis. You and Berger make sure the banks listen.

What is totally new is the strong endorsement this report has received from both business and labour. I have always said consensus of this type is essential to the advancement of women. I can only give this new consensus my strongest support. Unless we have men and women working together I do not think we can advance.

We are certainly on target. Our economic recovery plan is based on small business. I should add that women are a major element of our strategy, as 30 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses in this country are run by women. It is with great pleasure that I remind you that the proven rate of success of businesswomen is at least double that of their male counterparts. That is why, in the budget, actions concerning small business are essential for women.

We know that it is very difficult for small business owners, women in particular, to obtain funding for their businesses. Banks impose unrealistic financing conditions which prevent the establishment and expansion of small and medium-sized businesses, acquisition of new technology, development of new markets and above all job creation. The fact of the matter is that the risk taken by banks-and I point this out to my hon. colleague so that he can bring it to the attention of the presidents of the nation's banks the next time they get together-by increasing the percentage of loans to small and medium-sized businesses is very small.

Studies show that only 13 out of every 1,000 loans granted to small business are not repaid. In other words, Mr. Speaker, 98.7 per cent of borrowers are creditworthy.

In the actual conjuncture 98.7 per cent constitutes an incredible rate of success. It should impress even the leaders of the banks and the most conservative of the bankers.

It must also be noted that profits in the banking sector reached $2.9 billion in 1993, or almost 60 per cent more than the previous year.

That is a lot of money. I think they could start taking some risks along with our small and medium sized businesses.

That is why our government set up a finance and industry task force to study, in collaboration with banks and small businesses, the issue of access to capital. I hope that the hon. members here in this House who have ideas will share them with us and provide clarification.

In addition, business leaders asked us to urgently reduce unemployment insurance premiums, and we have done so. This will enable businesses to save $300 million a year and to reinvest this money in new jobs.

We will also cut red tape and reduce interprovincial trade barriers, create a Canadian investment fund, form strategic alliances in favour of small business, establish joint ventures between research services and small businesses, and replace the GST with a tax that is more equitable for taxpayers and less burdensome for businesses.

This being said, our budget also proposes many initiatives that focus directly on women's needs. It puts in place provisions to improve women's health by creating a centre of excellence for women's health and launching a prenatal nutrition program. The national forum on health will also give us the opportunity to redress disparities in the way women are treated in our health care system. I could go into that at great length because there is much to do in that area.

As soon as we reach 3 per cent of economic growth we will create 50,000 child care spaces a year until we reach an additional 150,000 spaces. The budget contains provisions for this in 1995 and 1996.

Our initiatives will assist the people of this country to fully exercise their rights in terms of the charter, the Human Rights Act and the Multiculturalism Act. I am referring to the creation of the race relations foundation, the restoration of the court

challenges program and the law reform commission, as well as a review of immigration and refugee policies. All these initiatives are aimed at making this country's society a fairer, more compassionate one.

We have to do that because we cannot allow the increase in racism that has been taking place and the manifestation of scapegoat because of the economic situation.

We must take steps to make people understand that we are a peaceful society, where we live together in reasonable harmony, either in English or in French, Canada's two official languages.

Finally, the budget reaches out to young people, the pride and the future of our nation. The aboriginal head start program, the youth services corps, the young internship program, the literacy program and the youth student loans program are all important because they fill a great need.

I see young people upstairs in the gallery. Your future is what we are talking about as we look at the budget and try to analyse where we will be going to put this country back to work and give hope to the next generation, which is our absolute mandate in this House.

Added to this basic reform and initiatives already announced, these programs will allow our young women and men to prepare themselves for the challenges the new global economy is imposing on them. Our young people are smart and creative. They are like their parents, hard working and dedicated. They want the opportunity to contribute to society. We have made it our mission to help them reach that goal.

In conclusion, I must say I am very pleased with the budget, primarily because it is fair but also because it reflects our commitment to including all Canadians in the economic and social life of this country. If philosophical and ethical considerations do not move people, then common sense considerations should. In an increasingly complex and competitive world societies which do not tap into the talents of all their citizens are societies which sooner or later will lose.

Points Of Order February 11th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

Canadians and other freedom loving countries are about to celebrate the end or the beginning of the end of a horrible nightmare of six years of world war in Europe when in June the 50th anniversary of D-Day is going to be celebrated and we will recall the loss of Canadian lives. More particularly when I think of Adolf Hitler's ideology, his obsession that brought chaos to Europe, death to millions of my people, death to millions of other people, I find it absolutely reprehensible to think that his name would come into question in this House.

Status Of Women February 11th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, it is a normal practice in the world of business, whether it is the business of the House, or the business of the country, or business in the private sector, to invest in the growth and development of our human resources.

That is exactly what was undertaken. Miss Simms is a very fine example of good leadership and potential for the growth and development of women's interests as well as business interests around this country. She has served well and will continue to contribute to the growth and development of our country.

Multiculturalism February 7th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, I did not anticipate your being ready so quickly.

In 1971 the Liberal government took a timely step forward in affirming the uniqueness of Canadian identity. It proclaimed the multiculturalism policy of Canada showing how we perceived ourselves and how we were viewed by nations throughout the world.

We let it be known on domestic and international stages that we placed a high value on the diverse heritage that history bestowed upon us to share. Many changes stemmed from this policy in the lives of citizens and in government activities. Part of this social evolution took place in 1988 when the world's first national multiculturalism legislation saw the light of day in the House and was unanimously passed.

Through the multiculturalism act we made an emphatic statement that ours is a life story to celebrate a legacy of traditions brought from nations far and near to link our cultural communities as one people united under one banner. The act codified in law the multicultural reality that has flourished since the First Nations settled this vast land, long before the advent of the explorers. We were indeed proud to see respect for our neighbours' origins become the law of the land.

Diversity is a Canadian reality, a reality reflected in this House, in you, in me and among all our colleagues, and among the citizens from all ethnocultural groups who have placed us here to speak on their behalf. The essence of this diversity lies in how we conduct day to day life in Canada, at home, at school, in our neighbourhoods and in the workplace.

It is with regard to where many Canadians work and provide services to the public that I tabled the fifth annual report on the operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. It documents progress the federal departments and agencies made in honouring this government's commitment to reflecting Canada's cultural make up in its daily affairs. It also helps keep these administrations accountable to the people of Canada whom we have the privilege of serving.

In other words, the federal government must play a leading role in Canada's cultural development. This annual report covers the 1992-93 fiscal year. It applies to a time that preceded the return of this government by seven months.

Nevertheless, I have the duty to ensure that the document is tabled.

Some departments and agencies have made great strides in upholding diversity in the workplace and ensuring that all citizens have equal access to government services.

To cite just two examples among the many highlights of outward looking ventures, during 1992-93 CBC prepared a plan of action on equitable portrayal in programming. This led to further progress in the movement toward increasing the presence of visible minority performers and subjects on TV and radio in Canada.

A great number of programs dealt with the fight against racism and hatred as well as with the promotion of cross cultural relations. It included a Canada Day documentary in which five Canadians of diverse cultural backgrounds discovered the meaning of being a Canadian.

Agriculture Canada funded research into the diverse food buying habits of consumers and the opportunities that these trends present to Canada's agri-food industry. The results of this research were provided to producers and retailers in this fast growing sector. We shall do some ongoing nation-wide studying of these trends and help our food processors compete with foreign companies.

These innovative ideas are but a few among the many put forth by a large number of agencies and departments on the front line of diversity awareness. These employees deserve our praise. Other administrations proceeded at a somewhat less

accelerated pace. We acknowledge their efforts and encourage them on.

Finally, a minority of offices have not quite blazed a trail in advancing the benefits that diversity can bring and diversity offers. Hanging posters in the lobby is a good start but one must make the actual message on those posters come to life. Their intentions are honourable but they really could go further.

With this in mind, I have asked program staff to convene a round table of senior officials. These people will explore new ways to highlight the fact that the government demonstrates leadership in bringing about meaningful change in Canada.

Clearly one cannot look to the outside until one has had a thorough scan of the inside.

As my hon. colleagues have likely sensed, this report is a good foundation for a much more energetic plan of action for the remainder of the decade. However one cannot really call it a best seller, not at least right now. Let us wait until I table some reports in the year to come, same place, same time, but I do believe it will be a different story, a story about widespread institutional change.

The portfolio entrusted to me by the Prime Minister is an honour, as well as a challenge.

Our mandate is to articulate the idea that our approach to citizenship embraces all Canadian women and men-seniors and young people-regardless of where they or their ancestors were born. We will be busy during the 1990s and I look forward to every day of it!

At the top of our agenda is the need to enlighten, to educate, to arouse a better understanding and interest, to open the eyes, to drop the lid on the coffin and finally entomb the myths that multiculturalism is merely an immigration issue, that diversity must lead to division, and the misguided musings about quotas.

I have already heard rumblings in this House about ghettoization. It is true there are those who do move into places some people think of as comfort zones. Others might call them ghettos. I do not think that is the right nomenclature, but they move to a place called Canada first. They contribute their skills to a land built by others before them who arrived with courage, hope and dreams.

Canada is a nation where we all enjoy freedom of movement and we all have the right to move to a neighbourhood with stores, with a market and with a community centre that represents a familiar setting. It is a comfort zone. All citizens have that right too. They have every right to tell us to stop focusing on the small picture of who lives where and who does what and to look at the whole screen in panorama.

Let us recognize diversity as the most obvious characteristic of the Canadian reality, thanks to our ancestors from around the world.

Our diversity is at the heart of our identity, and you cannot rewrite history. We know of regimes in this century that tried to do so, and they failed.

I suggest that members see "Schindler's List" if they want a reminder.

Whether people know it or not, multiculturalism will not fail.

Anyone who foresees the end of our respect for neighbours' origins and for their right to become involved in our communities is not facing the fact that all Canadians have equal rights and equal responsibilities.

Embracing all our traditions is an eloquent expression of the Canadian dream. It forms the very lifeblood of our nationhood. It creates building blocks, not stumbling blocks, for one only stumbles when one lives in darkness and cannot see the path ahead.

The federal government intends to follow a path clearly laid out, long before Confederation, by our aboriginal peoples and generations of ancestors.

The finest homage we could pay them is to show that there is no such thing as us and them, mainstream versus immigrants, old guard versus newcomers.

Even the so-called mainstreamers have roots that spread all over the world. We Canadians are one big family. After all we are all made of flesh and blood.

We also have a mission on a broader scale to serve as an example to troubled nations that look to us for inspiration in times of strife when they think of freedom, human rights and shared values. We will reinforce our status as a role model through an alliance of every man, woman and child with a grasp of the responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. We shall pick the route that leads to a land where every person's talent and energy will build on what is great about Canada. We will strengthen our economy through communication with trading partners. It will help us maintain our revered status in the eyes of the world.

The task that faces us all is not an easy one. Yet I can think of little in life more debilitating than idleness, scapegoating, antipathy and apathy.

I speak from my own heart to those who ask if a land of opportunity, equality and fairness is a dream world; who question whether multiculturalism has a value or is a value, has an inclusive policy or is an inclusive policy; or who think that it can happen alone. I say when we cease to dream we cease to grow.

Canadian Multiculturalism Act February 7th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the annual report on the operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act for 1992-93.

I will be making a statement shortly, outlining my vision on this government's new directions for multiculturalism.

Social Security System January 31st, 1994

What I want to say with regard to the member's first question is that with job creation I think it is very clear.

Job creation is a goal towards which the government is working at this time. Job creation has been the focal point of our Prime Minister's speeches. That is why we have been elected, all of us who considered in detail the Red Book of our party which says that job creation is our primary responsability. Both go together. If you do not have a well supported population, if you do not have a population that is in good health, it will not be ready and able to learn new trades, to change trade or to enter the job market. When you have a population that is working, the finance problem, the deficit problem can be solved in a better way. It is like a scale: one does not go without the other.

To answer the questions asked by the Reform Party, I must say that our goal is not simply cutting for the sake of cutting. Our goal is to improve the present situation, because you know as well as I do that people on welfare, people who receive different kinds of assistance do not find their niche in the job market

because they do not have the necessary tools and because our labour force was not trained to face the changes required by the job market today. And I hope that by working together we will find the right answers.

Social Security System January 31st, 1994

Madam Speaker, I realize the clock has run out, but I would just like to suggest to the hon. gentleman, our colleague across the floor, that the federal contribution to social security programs in Quebec is $14.6 billion.

Quebec has a huge deficit. Canada has a huge deficit. We are now providing 28 per cent of all national funds for the work that has to be done in Quebec and that with these funds, with which I have no quarrel, we will be able to fix the situation so that our young people can find their niche in tomorrow's society.

It is irrelevant to ask today who did what about the deficit. We are talking about young people and the fact that they want to be able to eat and earn a living and get proper training for the future.

Social Security System January 31st, 1994

Madam Speaker, it is a particular privilege to join in this very important debate for the people of Canada and for members of the House of Commons. I would sincerely hope that as members of Parliament and Canadians from all regions and all backgrounds we are beginning to undertake an examination of our social safety system which will be in the best interests of all Canadians. This reform is the first step in making our programs more responsive to the social and economic needs of the people of Canada as we prepare to enter the 21st century.

I pledge my support to the Minister of Human Resources Development who has the necessary courage and dedication to tackle such a complex and important task as this review. The life of every Canadian will be affected for many years to come by the results of this reform.

This is why the minister is taking measures to ensure that all Canadians will be heard and that they will not be hurt by this initiative but will benefit from it. The minister has said he is

asking each and every one of us in the Chamber to participate in the review so that the government is better able to serve the people through an open and transparent system.

He asked us to sit down and speak with our constituents, to seek their opinion and to get their advice. He is also asking Canadians to come forward with their ideas and suggestions for solution. The time line is not just a short two months, as the member for Mercier seemed to suggest. The time line is far longer than that.

If hon. members really are concerned about the people of the country they will get their business and information together. They will respond to the wonderful new transparency that we are presenting as an option for Canadians and will get their suggestions and their ideas to the parliamentary committee in a variety of different forms as will be determined by the committee.

This reform of our social security system is of great importance to me and to all women in Canada. Women must participate in the process, and I am committed to doing whatever I can to ensure that they have that opportunity.

It is my hope that Canadian women will seize this opportunity, will provide the guidance as to what kind of social security system they would feel comfortable with, what they think would be important for us to maintain, and where the sense of well-being will be ensured. They can in this way contribute to the progress, and to their own progress, toward equality.

As the minister has pointed out, close to half of Canadians no longer have a sense of security about their lives, and that is dramatic. Many are afraid that the company they work for may close or restructure and as a result they will lose their jobs. They are afraid that should they have to look for another job, they would not have the opportunity, the training, or the education needed to find one. If they are over 50 years of age they are terrified that they may never find another job.

Over and above the concerns that are being expressed, I think it is important to recognize that there has been a dramatic change in the structure of the family. There has been a growth in the single-parent family. There has been a change in what we would call the traditional two-parent, two-child, white-picket-fence image of that particular word "family".

There has been a change in the work force. There has been a change in the workplace. There are too many changes taking place for many people, who seem to feel there is a loss of hope, and they do not understand where things are going. Along with the globalization of the economy, this change to a knowledge-based economy, this restructuring of our bigger firms and the growth of the small business sector are all undeniable elements of the new reality that confronts Canadians. As I said before, many are fearful of these changes.

The consequences of these changes are wide-ranging and diversified in scope. We have to look at them from a different perspective from that of a company's bottom line. I think that people's lives and people's ability to live in this country have to be taken into consideration, not just, as I said before, the bottom line.

We have to look at the social impact with respect to the issues we are facing, adjust our focus and redirect our very scarce resources. Men and women in Canada are proud, hardworking and dedicated people. Canadians want to be contributors, not dependants of our society.

Collecting unemployment insurance cheques or living on welfare is not good enough for any of us. This is not our aspiration and our hope for ourselves, for our families or our children. We want to work. We want to feed and care for our family, and we want to be able to put a little money aside for some pleasure, as well as to protect ourselves in our older age.

This is not a dream. This is the Canadian way of life. This is what has made Canada so rich and so appealing both for Canadian-born people and for all those who have chosen to join us over these years. Now we must take steps to ensure that the social programs that have helped guarantee our envious standard of living over the past decades will continue to serve us well for a long, long time.

The last decade has undoubtedly been a lot more beneficial to the rich than to the general population. Individual purchasing power has fallen and the middle class, caught between tax increases and runaway inflation, has been hit hard.

Food banks, which were the exception and only existed in the big cities 10 or 15 years ago, have now become a familiar sight and that is sad.

I think that the most important and revolting sociological phenomenon to emerge in Canada in the last few years is the face of poverty. Poverty is increasingly taking on the face of a woman and, if that was not bad enough, of a woman carrying a child or of an old woman. That is the face of poverty here in Canada.

When I talk about women, I think of women of all races and ages, but I must admit that our immigrant, native and handicapped women are in an even more difficult situation as they also face discrimination and poverty.

In a country as rich and as fortunate as Canada, we cannot accept this disintegration of our social fabric or leave these hungry children and desperate women at the mercy of market forces. We cannot ignore the unemployment and poverty that

contribute to such serious problems as violence against women and children or the formation of youth gangs usually leading to crime and violence. We cannot forget that racism, intolerance and discrimination are devastating parasites that we would like to eliminate from our society but which continue to do a lot more damage than we are willing to admit.

I feel very emotional when I think about this situation we must face, and I think that our Minister was very brave to implement global changes by listening to society in order to improve our current situation.

It seems to me that one of the single most important factor to take into account in this review of our social safety system is the situation of women. I say women because we represent the majority of the population, and I say women because we make an enormous contribution to our society and our economy. However, as women we are often economically disadvantaged due to the disproportionate responsibilities that we bear for both our homes and our families. I say women because we have diverse needs and concerns that are often overlooked and neglected. Our roles have undergone tremendous changes since the social security system was first established. I say women because we have to struggle for the right to have many choices in our lives: to pursue an education, a career, voluntary activities, caring for children and for our parents. We must continue to value and protect this right to choose.

This is unpaid work that we take, and it does contribute very significantly to our collective wealth as a country.

I say women, because the new social security system must take into consideration the economic and social realities of women today and our aspirations for tomorrow.

Finally, I say women because it is still largely in our hands that the future of our children lie, and that is the future of Canada.

Madam Speaker, the sad reality of the difficult situation of women is revealed in simple statistics; that is, cold, hard fact. Today women of all ages, cultures and backgrounds represent 45 per cent of the work force. They are expected to account for almost two-thirds of the new entrants into the job market between now and the year 2001.

Despite the unprecedented participation of Canadian women in the work force, most women work for low wages in low-status jobs. Almost one-third are still employed in clerical positions and, on average, Canadian women working full-time today earn just 72 cents of every dollar earned by men.

In 1950 about 5.4 million income recipients received a total income of less than $10,000. Of this, 36 per cent were men and 64 per cent were women. That is those who get $10,000.

At the other end of the scale, looking at those who earn $40,000 or more in income, of these 78 per cent were men, whereas only 22 per cent were women. I would say to you that that is inequity.

Women, especially women of child-bearing age, experience more career interruptions. In too many cases fathers do not share fully the financial responsibility of raising their children.

In 1991, 82 per cent of all one-parent families were headed by women. They made up almost two-thirds of the 900,000 families living in poverty. Those are chilling statistics.

Children living with a single mother are five times more likely to live in poverty than those living with two parents. The vast majority of women have very little money to put into an RRSP or a pension plan. Only 48 per cent of women workers aged 45 to 64 can expect to receive company pensions upon retirement. So by the time they reach the end of their careers, only a small percentage of women are financially secure. All the others have to rely on government programs. For too many a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice is rewarded with poverty and deprivation.

If we do not fix our social security system, we will pay a terrible price for our indifference. Women's poverty is not just a woman's problem, ladies and gentleman and colleagues; it is a problem that every Canadian has an interest in solving.

As we initiate this social security review, it is time to recognize the extent of women's poverty in our country and to fully examine the basic cause: women's inequality.

Any plan to end women's poverty must be pursued within the context of the overall efforts to promote the equality of women in all aspects of human endeavour. That requires broadly based co-operative efforts that involve Canadians from every walk of life.

To change this we must place a higher value on the work that is traditionally performed by women. We must offer women the opportunity to diversify their occupational qualifications and seek advancement. They must have the ability to compete for the better paying, more challenging and responsible positions within the work force, because in many cases they are able, willing, ready and competent.

Improving the education and training opportunities for women is central to achieving this goal and is central to sound employment practices. Issues such as training in non-traditional occupations, encouraging girls to continue with studies in math and science, support for school work and home-school transition, and better financial resources must all be addressed for men and for women.

I would say that the economic situation of women is such that should pay particular attention and make sure that it is addressed as we go forward with this review. This is true for all women, but particularly, as as I have said before, for immigrant women who have special needs such as language training and recognition of their credentials. They also need guidance to be able to access and use all the services available to them.

I will work with my counterparts in the provinces and the territories, along with the minister, to improve women's access to education, training and retraining in order to give them equal opportunity to compete for jobs in the workplace of today and tomorrow. I shall work with these ministers and with our minister to ensure that our immigrant women are given equal access to federal government services as well as vocational training and language courses.

And finally, we must think of young people. We can never exaggerate the importance of our young people for a country like Canada. On them and in them we place all our priorities, all our hopes and all our dreams for the future. I have to say that few things are as painful for me as to see young people fall victim to violence, to discrimination, and to poverty.

As the minister said so well, there is a human deficit in our country and we all have to realize that if we can deal with this human deficit and put Canadians, all Canadians, back to work, it will be much easier to deal with the financial deficit. I think there is a tremendous interlinking between both these things.

I said in this House on Friday that from now on this government will follow a simple but important path, an action-oriented path. I also said that governments must deal with change in full partnership with Canadians. We have today the perfect application of these two principles.

Yes, we are taking action to review programs that in some cases date back to 1942. Yes, we have refused to take the easy path of amending something here, increasing a part of something there, adjusting something here and imposing a few cuts there.

I would suggest that any members who are really interested in this process read the minister's speech and get a fuller picture of where he intends to go in a large number of areas that are of importance to each and every one of us.

I would suggest that instead of the easy path, we have chosen to remake our entire social security system after we have done the necessary consultations. Once change of this nature is made, one does not jump into it in two minutes flat. The minister has laid out a very comprehensive and intelligent plan of consultation, which will allow groups, including women's groups, to get together, consult with their grass roots and feed back into the process.

We have the parliamentary process, we have the standing committee process, we have members going into their riding for an open hearing in that way, and we have the standing committee to do something.

We really must do something now and do it with full participation and collaboration for all Canadians. To do this we must ensure that organizations representing women-that is, all women, including immigrant and visible minorities, which so often have limited resources and broad mandates-have sufficient time and support to consult their grass roots and get back to us.

Knowing that this government and this House are quickly confronting this complex and difficult issue facing this country hand in hand with all citizens I think should only assure and reassure even the most skeptical and bring hope of a brighter future for all in this nation. That is what we are in this House of Commons to do, address the concerns.

We have to take into account the concerns of every Canadian, no matter where he or she may live.

This is exactly what Canadians have elected the Liberal Party, this side, this government, to do, and that is precisely what we are going to do. Whether you live in Newfoundland with your problems, in Manitoba with your problems, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, it does not matter. We are concerned, and certainly with the Northwest Territories and certainly with our aboriginal people, and we have a global view of society. That is how this government intends to allow us to bring this change; it is through consultation, through transparency, without dogma, without dictation, but with an open heart, an open ear, to effect the changes that the Canadian people want for themselves.

Social Security System January 31st, 1994

And Canadians.

Social Security System January 31st, 1994

Throughout Canada.