Diane Finley

[Seniors, November 21st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, our government has been very clear that we want to work with our colleagues in the House to eliminate poverty.

That is why we have taken the many steps we have to ensure families, and especially children and seniors, are in a much better financial position. That is why we introduced the universal child care benefit. That is why we have lowered the GST, which, by the way, helps the lower income people the most. Certainly people who are not paying taxes would not benefit from tax cuts in the way the GST cuts help them.

We are doing this because we want to eliminate poverty.

[Speech from the Throne, November 20th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, quite the contrary. The throne speech lists all the measures we will use. We have already implemented several measures to help laid-off workers.

For example, we broadened compassionate care benefits. As well, we are continuing with the pilot projects. Some of that funding has been extended considerably, specifically to help those who find themselves in very difficult transition stages. We believe that the best social measures are to get people new jobs and we are helping them do that.

[Speech from the Throne, November 20th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, we are always saddened when people lose their jobs anywhere in Canada. It is a very serious matter and that is why we have expanded the employment insurance system in Canada. For example, we now have five pilot projects to examine ways to improve the system and we will be expanding the program in other ways.

[Citizenship and Immigration, June 12th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, as I told the hon. member's colleague last week, we are trying to help organizations get their delegates to these conventions. We want to ensure they are successful.

However, each application must receive all due attention in order to protect the people who are already here. If the hon. member has details about specific cases, I would be happy to help her.

[Citizenship and Immigration, June 10th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, as I said last week, we want to help people organize conferences and make them successful. However, anyone who wants to enter Canada must follow the legal application process. I offered my assistance to the hon. member if he could provide me with details of particular cases. I am still waiting.

[Citizenship and Immigration, June 5th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, of course we want to ensure that the congresses are successful. I have asked my officials to work with organizers to make sure that all the applications are processed fairly and as quickly as possible.

If the hon. member has more specific details about particular cases, I invite him to meet with me after question period so that I may help him.

[Citizenship and Immigration, June 4th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the member knows very well that our primary responsibility as a government is to provide protection and security for the people who are already here. To do so, we must evaluate visa applications individually. As you and the hon. member know, we cannot discuss the reasons why the visas were denied.

[Citizenship and Immigration, June 4th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, under the law, it is impossible to guarantee that the visa applications for all the delegates will be approved, because each application must be evaluated individually. That said, I have asked my officials to process the applications quickly and fairly.

[Francophone Education and Training Conference, May 30th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, of course we are aware of this situation. We want the conference to be a great success and we are taking measures to ensure that the delegates are allowed to enter Canada as soon as possible.

[Inter-Parliamentary Union, May 27th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the House that we are doing everything possible to make this assembly a great success. As well, we are working to facilitate the entry of the individuals who will be taking part.