Bev Oda

[Prebudget Consultations, December 12th, 2006]

moved:

That this House take note of the Eighth Report of the Standing Committee on Finance, presented to the House on Thursday, December 7, 2006.

[Status of Women, December 11th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, again, let me very clear. Only the members on the other side of the House believe it is important to fund women's organizations and groups. We are saying that we will fund groups and organizations that want to directly help women in their neighbourhoods and communities to address the challenges that women are facing today and have been facing for a number of years.

[Status of Women, December 11th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I want to be very clear and accurate. There has been no cut to the budget of the women's program. The women's program had $10.8 million last year, has $10.8 million this year, and will have $10.8 million next year. What we are talking about is $5 million more in the next fiscal year for more work, more benefits, and more direct health for women.

[Status of Women, December 11th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, let me assure the House that not only do all caucus members in the government ensure that they meet their responsibilities to every woman in Canada but they also bring to the attention of their fellow caucus members the interests of their own constituents. We recognize our responsibilities to our constituents and all of Canada. This is a good decision for all Canadian women in every constituency across Canada.

[Status of Women, December 11th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, on this side of the House every member of government is committed to Canadian women. As we know, we have a responsibility and accountability. The party on the opposite side should recognize the fact that in due process there are notifications that have to be given to employees. We also know that we have obligations and that is why we are saying the changes will come into effect at the beginning of the 2007 fiscal year.

[Status of Women, December 11th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the $5 million is available right now. We are telling them that. At the end of this fiscal year, as of April 1, that $5 million will be allocated to directly assist women in their communities. We are not talking about cutting. We are talking about making sure that we find savings in streamlining in operations and that in the next fiscal year that money will be made available directly to women in their communities.

[Status of Women, December 11th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this government does stand up for the equality of all Canadians.

It is only members opposite who would fight for more offices and more bureaucracy and who would fight to use 31 cents to deliver one dollar. Only members opposite would not remember that they cut the women's program budget by five times. What did they do with that money when they cut that program?

We believe in equality and we are doing something about it. We are making sure that aboriginal women have matrimonial property rights. We are making sure they have a right to a decent job. We are making sure they have financial security in their senior years.

[Status of Women, December 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, only a party that believes that women are weak would deceive and mislead the same women in Canada.

It comes down to very simple math. It was costing 31¢ to deliver $1. Now it will cost 17¢. Thirty-one minus 17 means 14¢ more for women. It is very simple. There is no program cut. It is simple math. Savings in administration mean more money for women in Canada.

[Publications Assistance Program, December 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the PAP does support publishing, community newspapers and farm publications. Heritage Canada will continue to provide the $45 million.

We understand that Canada Post has been in discussions with the Minister of Transport and hopefully will find some resolution to continue the support to those important publications.

[Status of Women, December 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I find it quite alarming that the member opposite would ask that question. The Liberals had 13 years to ensure that the rights of aboriginal women would be there. In fact, it is this government that introduced matrimonial rights for aboriginal women, a fundamental right that every Canadian woman, including aboriginal women, should have recognized.