Bev Oda

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I am very proud of what our government has done regarding friendship centres. There are 116 friendship centres across Canada and they serve urban aboriginal people.

I have witnessed, by visiting friendship centres, the good service they provide to the community. I also point out that this government has increased the funding to friendship centres over the two years in our budgets by $2.2 million more than the previous government.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, the member's question gives me an opportunity to ensure that we are looking at the Exporail request. The Exporail request actually is for operating funds. As we have clearly stated, we do not cover the operating funds for non-federal museums. We have now looked at that. We have to ensure that there is consistency and that we have a uniform approach for all organizations.

On the human rights museum we have come to an agreement, with very strong community support in the city of Winnipeg, from the private sector, the foundation, the city, the province. They have all contributed and have agreed that the human rights museum will become a federal museum. Therefore, we will be providing the necessary operating funds. This is consistent with the approach and the policies of the Department of Canadian Heritage which have been in place for a number of years. We do not have an ad hoc approach to museums.

I would say to the member that I would be pleased, I know the request is in my scheduling office and will be--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, the child care benefit helps women for every child under the age of six regardless of income.

As I indicated, this is a government that acts. Each minister has a responsibility. Let me just point out that for 10 years under the previous government, all we did was see Canada get on a watch list for human trafficking, be noted and listed as not doing enough for women regarding violence, particularly aboriginal violence. We know we are on those lists. Our job is to get Canada off of those lists and to do something for women.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chairman, I am very proud to work with our Minister of Indian Affairs because he has come forward and ensured that these women living on reserves will now have matrimonial property rights.

He has also increased the funding for on reserve family violence shelters by $6 million. I know that our Minister of Human Resources and Social Development has increased family employment and settlement housing needs. We are working with not just one agency so that every other minister is relieved of his or her responsibility to women in Canada but we work together as a team.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as a member of cabinet I know of the discussions that are happening regarding employment insurance and that the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development has been working diligently to make sure that program is going to benefit all part time workers in Canada. We realize the situation they are in. That program needs to be enhanced and we are working to make sure it is going to be helpful and applicable to all members of Canadian society.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, we have put forward programs that say that community organizations that work with women and know of the needs of women in their communities are free to come forward to make proposals to the Status of Women. We have now increased by $10 million the money that will be available to those organizations.

I too have spoken to the associations that are no longer being funded to advocate and lobby government, but this is working directly for women in the communities. We are working with the organizations that for years have been working diligently every day to help women in their communities.

I have been to Edmonton and Toronto, and talked to women who are now benefiting from our new women's community program. This program is able to enhance the job being done for women in their neighbourhoods.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I am very pleased to say that we have established two programs: the women's community fund and the women's partnership fund. These programs will be fully up and implemented as soon as possible. We also have an additional $5 million in this year's budget that will go toward helping women in the next year.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I have two things. When I meet the women who are going to benefit from the programs and proposals put forward, they thank us and say it will make a difference in their lives and the lives of their children. I experienced that just this past weekend in Saint John, New Brunswick.

We do not leave it to just one entity or agency of government. When we discuss any policy, program or legislation as a caucus or cabinet, we are always asking the question about how--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as I have said before, this government wants to ensure that we are giving direct help to women. This government does not maintain offices for the sake of maintaining offices. We do not maintain expenses in administration. We try to find efficiencies in streamlining. We have found those.

We are delivering more programs to women in their communities that are going to directly make a difference in their daily lives. These are women who live in poverty. These are single parents. These are women trying to get ahead in the workforce. These are senior women who are finding themselves with low income and at the poverty level.

These challenges had been going on for many years under the previous government and we are doing something about them.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as I have indicated, we listen to all of our constituents, men and women. It is our job to make sure that whatever policies and legislation we put forward address the needs of Canadian men and women.