Joe Volpe

[Quarantine Act, May 12th, 2004]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-36, an act to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Employment Insurance, May 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, it is quite simple and straightforward; the answer is yes, provided people are in an economic zone with an unemployment rate of 10% or greater.

[Employment Insurance, May 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as I have stated on several occasions, I am waiting for the final report by the Liberal task force. I must emphasize that again. It has made some very positive recommendations, and I have acted immediately. I have also said that we are aware of the situation with the seasonal industries. A concrete solution must involve provincial authorities, the industries and the regional agencies.

[Employment Insurance, May 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, what is negative is the criticism just delivered by the member opposite. It does not, of course, take into account the $280 million to resolve the problems noted in employment insurance and to give people some hope. This is a duty—something unfamiliar to the Bloc, of course.

[Employment Insurance, May 12th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, our duty is to implement measures dealing with the problems we are seeing in the employment insurance system and to resolve these problems. We have done so. We are giving hope to our fellow citizens who find themselves without work. Through these measures, we are trying to give them the future we would like for all other Canadians. What I see are measures providing $280 million to the regions. That is good news.

[Employment Insurance, May 12th, 2004]

What we should understand, Mr. Speaker, is that measures have been implemented that should remedy the problems identified by the Liberal task force, which has indicated that a number of measures were necessary to provide Canadians who find themselves without work with opportunities for brighter futures. We have taken action, and we have done so quickly. Is the hon. member opposite suggesting I not implement these measures?

[Employment Insurance, May 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, Bloc Quebecois members, separatists, do not mention the other figures that precede the first zero. Be that as it may, I just announced the implementation of very concrete measures worth $280 million.

The Liberals did their homework. They submitted proposals to me and I implemented them. I just mentioned it. I have been in this position for four months. The task force did its job. It made a proposal and I acted on it immediately.

[Employment Insurance, May 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I proposed some very concrete and positive measures, as suggested by the members of the Liberal the task force.

I am not interested in the hon. member's antics. He has nothing better to offer. I already said that I proposed four measures in the amount of $280 million, over a two-year period. These are very concrete measures aimed at solving the problems in the employment insurance program.

Would the hon. member prefer I did not take these measures?

[Employment Insurance, May 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal task force that examined the situation and proposed very positive measures has suggested some solutions. I have acted according to them. I am not cynical like the member opposite, who tries to feed on the misery of others. It seems a little ironic that a separatist is trying to get solutions from federalism that he is not capable of providing.

[Employment Insurance, May 11th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the hon. member has not understood the entire context of the measures I am implementing today. I have been the minister for four months and during those four months I have acted quickly. It seems a little odd that the member opposite finds that $140 million is not enough to cope with the problems reported in the regions.