House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2019, with 47% of the vote.
Employment Insurance February 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the rules for employment insurance are the same right across the country. What varies is the amount of benefits that go as situations change based on local conditions. As a local economy such as Oshawa deteriorates, its eligibility for benefits becomes easier and it gets benefits for longer.
I would point out to the hon. member that his Liberal premier supports our economic action plan.
Social Housing February 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we want to do with our economic action plan. We want to invest in affordable housing to help people, especially the most vulnerable.
We are trying to create many jobs by investing, including our announcement last fall, close to $4 billion for new and the renovation of social housing. These activities will create jobs right now and provide long term benefits for those who need it most.
The Economy February 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we know there are far too many Canadians going through these trying times and losing their jobs in circumstances like that. That is why we are making every effort to speed up how quickly people can claim and receive their EI benefits. It is why we are extending those benefits.
It is also why we are investing in those same Canadians to give them the skills they will need for the jobs of tomorrow so that we will not have to go through this again, and so that they will be able to go to work, make a living, bring food home and put it on the table for their families.
The Economy February 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we are trying to help Canadians who are suffering through global recession. We are expanding our work sharing program so they do not have to lose their jobs. We are expanding, in quantities never done before, training available to help those unfortunately who lose their jobs so they are prepared to take the jobs of the future so they can support their families, take it home and put it on the table for them.
We are providing them with a lot of extra support in terms of credit availability and education so they can deal with this recession and come out stronger at the end of it.
The Economy February 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the current worldwide global recession has definitely had a very serious impact on Canadians right across the country, not just in the member's riding.
That is why our economic action plan takes several steps forward to ease the credit so people can get the financing they need to keep their houses or even to buy new ones. We are stimulating the economy by creating jobs, through infrastructure, through the development of social housing to help the most vulnerable. We are expanding our EI program to help those most in need.
We are taking a lot of steps so Canadians can cope better with this worldwide recession.
Employment Insurance February 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we are the ones who want to take care of people who have been laid off. That is why, after holding consultations across Canada, we are providing an extra five weeks of employment insurance benefits. The NDP does not want any part of that. It is asking for two weeks at the beginning. We are offering five weeks. Why will he not take yes for an answer?
Employment Insurance February 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member really should cite somebody who has his facts accurate. In fact, over 80% of those who pay EI premiums are able to collect on them, and we are working hard to ensure they get even more benefit. That is why in our economic action plan we are extending beyond the regular benefits an extra five weeks of benefits for the next two years. That is why we are extending the work sharing program, so people can keep working.
We are taking action to provide training so people can get the jobs of the future. We are getting it done. NDP members are trying to stop it.
Budget Implementation Act, 2009 February 6th, 2009
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-10, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and related fiscal measures.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Employment Insurance February 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we do understand the hardships that people who are being laid off are facing. That is why we are proposing, in our economic action plan, to help over 400,000 people benefit from an additional five weeks of EI benefits. It will help 160,000 people, including long tenured and older workers, to get trained up so that they can continue to work, to provide food for their families. That is why we will be creating tens of thousands of jobs while we are renovating and building social housing for the most vulnerable.
Employment Insurance February 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, what we want to do is prepare the people who have been laid off for the jobs of the future. That is why we will make unprecedented investments in training these people, even those who have been out of work for several years. We therefore need the support of our partners here in the House of Commons to launch these new programs aimed at helping these people get back to work.