Irek Kusmierczyk

[Questions on the Order Paper, January 30th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian income survey, or CIS, is the official data source for estimating annual poverty statistics based on Canada’s official poverty line. Results from the 2020 CIS, released on March 23, 2022, show that there were 2.7 million fewer people living in poverty in 2020 compared to 2015. As a cross-sectional survey, the CIS does not collect information on the past poverty status of surveyed individuals and families, nor does it collect information on current or prior utilization of food banks or services from charitable organizations. In addition, the latest available data on poverty is for the 2020 calendar year. Poverty statistics reflecting the higher inflation observed in 2021 and 2022 will be released by the CIS in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

[Finance, December 9th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, when the pandemic hit, our government acted quickly to ensure that Canadians had the support they needed to get by. We were clear from the outset that we would do post-payment verifications in order to get money out the door quickly when it was needed, while also ensuring support went to eligible individuals. This work is ongoing and being done in a responsible and compassionate manner. We were also clear that fraud would not be tolerated and that individuals who made good-faith mistakes would not face penalties. We are taking a responsible approach to ensure a fair process.

[Finance, December 9th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, when the pandemic hit, we acted quickly to get recovery benefits into people's bank accounts without delay. To achieve that goal, we planned to verify eligibility on the back end, after the fact. This approach kept workers attached to their jobs and positioned our economy to come roaring back, which it did.

The Auditor General's report found that our individual support programs achieved their intended goals of getting money to Canadians quickly, allowing Canadians to stay home safely and avoiding severe social and economic consequences. The Auditor General also noted that lower-income workers and groups most impacted by the pandemic were able to benefit from these programs.

[Birthday Congratulations, December 6th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in the House of Commons to tell members a bit about a special constituent named Marta.

Marta is a remarkable person. Born in a small town in eastern Poland, she dreamed of becoming a dancer, but studied administration instead and worked with her husband in a large factory to help raise a family, including two boys, the youngest of which was a steady source of mischief.

To give her boys a bright future, Marta and her family immigrated to Canada as political refugees. She worked full time at the Polonia Centre and later the Polish credit union, all the while making sure her boys had home cooked soup and did not miss soccer practice. She volunteered in community theatre, in the Carrousel of the Nations, the Holy Trinity Choir and many fundraisers.

Everyone back home knows her as Marta, but I just call her mom. Today, I hope members will join me in wishing her a happy birthday and sto lat. I love my Mamo. Kocham cie.

[Persons with Disabilities, December 2nd, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Richmond Hill for his tireless work on behalf of all persons with disabilities and all constituents.

In October we launched the first-ever disability inclusion action plan, a road map for our country to remove barriers by focusing on financial security, employment, accessible and inclusive communities and a modern approach to disability. With Bill C-22, we have the framework legislation in place to create the groundbreaking Canada disability benefit.

Tomorrow, today and every day, let us celebrate the accomplishments of persons with disabilities as we work together to build a more inclusive and more accessible Canada.

[Persons with Disabilities, December 2nd, 2022]

Madam Speaker, we must address the long-standing financial insecurity that is the lived reality of far too many working-age Canadians with disabilities.

Bill C-22 would help us do just that by creating the groundbreaking Canada disability benefit. The CDB has the potential to lift hundreds of thousands of Canadians with disabilities out of poverty. The CDB would be a supplement to existing benefits like the guaranteed income supplement, and it would be paid to people who need it most. Bill C-22 passed second reading with 328 votes to zero and is being studied at committee.

[Persons with Disabilities, December 2nd, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Our government is proud to support this year’s theme: “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world”.

Since 2015, we have taken bold action to advance the rights of persons with disabilities. We recently launched Canada’s first-ever disability inclusion action plan to remove barriers that persons with disabilities face and to build a more inclusive Canada. Also, with Bill C-22, the Canada disability benefit, we have the potential to lift hundreds of thousands of working-age persons with disabilities out of poverty.

In the spirit of “nothing without us”, we will continue working with the disability community on the design and delivery of these programs.

I encourage every member of the House to spend December 3 in celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

[100th Anniversary of Easter Seals, November 30th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, Easter Seals Ontario was established 100 years ago in my hometown of Windsor thanks to the vision of Rotary clubs, including our own Rotary Club of Windsor (1918).

Easter Seals has grown into a national organization that supports countless children with disabilities through programs, camps and funding for mobility equipment. More importantly, Easter Seals has been a steadfast champion for building a Canada that is more inclusive and barrier free. This November, Easter Seals celebrated its centennial by hosting events, including Windsor-Essex's 40th Annual Easter Seals Telethon, which raised an incredible $235,000.

This Saturday will mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Join me in celebrating 100 years of Easter Seals Ontario and celebrating the remarkable volunteers back home and across the nation who are building a more inclusive and better Canada.

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, November 25th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, temporary foreign workers are absolutely vital to the Canadian economy. Employers should be able to obtain decisions on whether they can hire TFWs in a timely manner. We are taking additional measures to address labour shortages, including removing the cap on low-wage positions for employers in seasonal industries. We are extending LMIA validity from nine to 18 months, expanding flexibility for LMIA applications in low-wage occupations, and we are increasing the maximum employment duration for high-wage and global talent streams from two to three years.

We will continue to work with employers to ensure their solutions meet their needs.

[Employment Insurance, November 25th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the government has had workers' backs during the COVID pandemic in the worst of that crisis, but we also understand that Canada needs an EI system for the 21st century moving forward. That is why we consulted widely with unions, workers, employers and other partners from coast to coast to coast to build an EI system that meets the needs of Canadians.

We are committed to strengthening rights for workers employed by digital platforms and establishing new provisions in the Income Tax Act to ensure their work counts toward EI and CPP. With budget 2022, we are investing $110 million to extend the existing seasonal pilot until October 2023.

Modernizing a system that serves millions of Canadians each year is a serious task, and we are taking the time—