Diane Finley

[Science and Technology, January 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the economic action plan that the minister tabled this week includes a plan for training.

Our skills and training transition program will help those who are in school stay in school. It will build more space in colleges and universities so that people can get the training and skills they need for the jobs of the future. It will provide training through EI for those who are unemployed and eligible for EI, as well as for those who are not eligible for employment insurance, because we want them to be ready with the skills for the future.

[Housing, January 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as members well know, our economic action plan has among its goals to stimulate the economy through the protection and creation of jobs, by creating new jobs through building roads and bridges and social housing, and by taking care of those who are hardest hit by this recession.

We are investing over $2 billion in social housing, renovations, upgrades and new builds right across this country. I would suggest to the member, if she is truly concerned about social housing, that she support our initiatives.

[Employment Insurance, January 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we have faith in our older workers. That is why, two years ago, we introduced the targeted initiative for older workers, which has been very successful. In yesterday's economic action plan, we expanded that program to help workers so that they can re-enter the labour market.

[Employment Insurance, January 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, our government's priority is to help workers work and participate in the labour market. That is why our economic action plan includes much more money for training to help laid-off workers acquire new skills for the long term.

[Employment Insurance, January 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, what we want is for everyone here in Canada to be able to work. We do not want workers to be unemployed; we want to help them return to work with new skills. I expect this budget to include help for teaching and for training so that they can work for a long time.

[Employment Insurance, January 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we know that it is always difficult when someone loses their job. That is why I am expecting changes in the budget this afternoon. I am expecting that there will be increased employment insurance benefits in this budget.

I invite the member to wait for this afternoon's budget and to support us so that we can rebuild the economy together.

[Human Resources and Skills Development, January 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, later today in the budget I expect to see significant investments in skills retraining for those who are eligible for employment insurance and for those who are not. I expect to see targeted support for long-tenured workers and additional resources for apprentices in the skilled trades. I expect to see help for new Canadians so that they can get their credentials recognized and get to work here.

Our government will be there for Canadians who want to work and provide for their families.

[Older Workers, December 2nd, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, as I just stated, we have tried to expand this program. We have extended it until 2012 but the Bloc price is too high, the Bloc coup is unacceptable.

[Employment Insurance, December 2nd, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois says that it would cost nothing to make this change. In fact, it would cost at least $900 million. To the Bloc, $900 million is nothing. With accounting like that, the Bloc coup is unacceptable, the Bloc price is too high.

[Employment Insurance, December 1st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, we are always looking for ways to improve the ways in which Canadians receive the assistance and support they need. That is why we enlarged the employment insurance system through four pilot projects. We are still looking for ways to improve the system. I already thanked the Bloc for its suggestions. We are studying them in order to continue improving the system for those who need it.