House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2019, with 47% of the vote.
Employment Insurance February 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, as I just said, we want to help these people as soon as possible. That is why we have added human resources, we have extended our hours for people and we have improved our computer system, all in order to provide service and distribute money as quickly as possible. Other resources in our economic plan will be introduced today. I urge the other members to support it so we may increase our efforts and our resources.
Employment Insurance February 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we care very much about these people. That is why we are adding additional resources. We are tracking how we are performing on this on a monthly basis. In fact, we are actually tracking it weekly.
I invite the hon. member, with his very serious case, to approach me after question period so that we can deal with that specific case in as prompt a manner as possible to make sure that we are taking care of his constituent.
Employment Insurance February 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we want to ensure that people who are unfortunate enough to lose their jobs get the benefits they need and deserve just as quickly as possible. That is why we have taken, and are continuing to take, significant efforts to do that. We have people working overtime. We have extended our call centre hours. We are working with companies to help them process their claims faster. We want to ensure that these people get the benefits they deserve as quickly as possible.
Employment Insurance February 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, prior to tabling our economic action plan, we did consultations across Canada, an unprecedented number of consultations with ordinary Canadians, with industry and with a wide range of stakeholders, including our provincial and territorial counterparts. They asked us for improvements, and we are offering them. We are expanding training so people will be prepared for the jobs of the future. They asked for five weeks. They asked for more benefits. We are offering five weeks. The opposition members have asked for two. Why can they not take yes for an answer?
Employment Insurance February 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, it is very important that we recognize how sobering the job loss numbers are this month. Unfortunately, we expect to see more of that over 2009. That is why we, as a House of Commons, have to take action now to ensure our economic action plan moves forward quickly to help these people by providing them with EI assistance and extra opportunities for training for the jobs of the future.
We consulted Canadians across the country. They told us they wanted more benefits. We are giving them five weeks more at the end. I urge the—
The Economy February 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member says that she wants to create jobs and that is what we want to do for those who are unfortunate enough to lose theirs. That is why, in our economic action plan, we are expanding work-sharing. That is why we are making unprecedented investments in retraining those who have lost their jobs, so they can participate in the jobs of tomorrow.
The hon. member wants to make it easier for people to not take advantage of those opportunities in the future. She is also blocking it by not supporting our budget implementation act, which will be tabled today. I encourage her to change her position.
The Economy February 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the member is wrong. In fact, a few years ago, we launched an initiative targeting older workers. We had success with this program, which is why we have expanded it. The program helps workers learn new skills so that they can continue working. The opposition wants to put these people out to pasture; we have confidence in older workers.
The Economy February 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, it is sad when even one person loses his or her job. That is why we created our economic action plan to help everyone who has unfortunately been laid off. That is why we are asking for the support of all our partners in this House to move our plan forward, to protect jobs, to create new jobs and to keep Canada's economy moving.
Child Care February 5th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, for three elections the Liberals promised a national child care program and did not deliver a bit of it, not a space.
It is the provinces that are reporting that thanks to our funding, they have created 60,000 spaces. In fact our government is spending three times as much money on early child care and early learning as the Liberals ever did. Canadians deserve it, families need it, and we are delivering it.
Child Care February 5th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member were in touch with Canadians, he would hear how very pleased they are with the universal child care program that we brought in three years ago.
That program gives parents across Canada the choice in the child care that they get for their children. We have also increased funding to the provinces so that they can create daycare spaces. That funding will increase by 3% next year to help them create even more spaces.