House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2019, with 47% of the vote.
Older Workers December 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, we on this side of the House believe in the older workers who have been laid off because of circumstances beyond our control. That is why we introduced the targeted initiative for older workers, in order to help them prepare for another job. We have had some success. It is not enough, but we are continuing our efforts.
Renovation Industry November 25th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to thank the Bloc Québécois for its suggestions. I am happy that there is an atmosphere of cooperation here, in the House. We will consider all the suggestions that are proposed.
Social Housing November 25th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the member and the Bloc Québécois for their suggestions. We asked for suggestions, and we will consider them.
However, I want to point out that our government is providing support to the homeless. We are now spending more money on the homeless and on affordable housing than any previous government.
Older Workers November 25th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, we have already acknowledged that older workers face special challenges. That is why we introduced the targeted initiative for older workers.
The program was very successful: last year, most of the workers rehired in the Quebec labour market were older workers. We have much more to do, but we have taken the first step.
Employment Insurance November 25th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, of course we want to ensure that all the necessary supports are in place for our unemployed workers when, unfortunately, they must be laid off. Let there be no doubt about that.
It is insurance, and as with any insurance, there is always a wait period, because of course there must be confirmation that they are being laid off for longer than just a week or two. This is necessary to ensure the integrity of the system.
Poverty November 24th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, we very much want to ensure that Canadians are living as well as possible, which is why, apart from the universal child care, we lowered the GST, which disproportionately helps the lower income people.
We also introduced the working income tax benefit to help lower income people get over that welfare wall and provide them with incentives to get back to work.
We also increased the guaranteed income supplement for our seniors. We significantly expanded the amount of money they could earn before having the claw back.
We are working hard to ensure people can be as well off as possible.
Poverty November 24th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, in fact, back in budget 2006 “Advantage Canada“, we outlined the beginning of our plans to help eliminate poverty, particularly for children. That is why we introduced the universal child care benefit. By the way, the universal child care benefit removed 55,000 children from the low income classes.
There is also the child tax benefit and the child disability benefit. There are a number of ways in which we have already taken action to help remove children from poverty.
Seniors November 21st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, we have been working the plan. We have been for two and half years now.
I invite the member opposite to keep pace with all the good things that we have been doing for seniors. We have introduced pension splitting. That has made a huge difference to many families. In fact, several people in my riding approached me this spring after they calculated their income tax and said that it meant up to $7,000 in perks for them at the end of the year.
The Liberals can talk all they want about having a plan. We are making it happen.
Seniors November 21st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is new to the House and she is probably not aware of the many other things that we have done and continue to do for seniors.
Not only did we increase the guaranteed income supplement for seniors who needed it, but we also made sure they would get less clawback. We increased by 500% the allowance that they can claim and still qualify for GIS. We introduced pension splitting for seniors to reduce their taxes so they would have more of the money they would need to spend their way.
Seniors November 21st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, we want to ensure that those people who have helped build our country into what it is today, our seniors, get all the support that they deserve.
That is why we have, as my colleague said, installed for the very first time a Minister of State for Seniors. We have launched a National Seniors Council, which is providing the government with advice, particularly on issues of seniors' poverty and on how to combat elder abuse, something about which the hon. member does not even seem to care.
We have streamlined the guaranteed income supplement, increased it significantly and made it easier to get.