Joe Volpe

[Employment Insurance, April 27th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, it is not Bloc Quebecois members who determine the government's agenda. They are unable to make positive recommendations.

Therefore, I will listen to my colleagues from the Liberal task force, who will make appropriate recommendations.

[Employment Insurance, April 27th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, I am in the process of examining the recommendations of Liberal colleagues who have formed a task force to review the conditions affecting the unemployed in the regions.

I will make the appropriate decisions once I have reviewed these recommendations.

[Employment Insurance, April 26th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, all this show of outrage will not solve the problem. The truth is that the unemployment rate has dropped in the region. It is about 8%, that is all, but even that is too high for us. That is why the task force has presented some very definite proposals that are also very realistic and aimed at resolving long term problems that affect not only seasonal workers but also seasonal industries.

[Employment Insurance, April 26th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, this is question period, not fantasy time.

We have a task force made up of Liberal members. They have travelled to all regions and tried to obtain realistic facts by talking to local men and women who are dealing with the problem. I am in the process of examining a preliminary report, which ought to provide us with some long term solutions using all possible benefit programs.

[Human Resources Development, April 22nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to do that because every year, as the member knows, the summer career placement program has been extremely successful. It even helps those in Bloc ridings because they cannot help themselves.

However, every summer the Government of Canada puts forward some $90 million to help 50,000 students who are in secondary schools or post-secondary education and who are pursuing career related employment.

I am proud to say that this is just one element of the youth employment strategy which on a year to year basis engages some one million young men and women around the entire country, and we are proud of that kind of achievement.

[Older Workers, April 22nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I want to stress that the hon. member is aware that my department and the Government of Canada are always there, prepared to help workers in what is obviously an unfortunate situation.

We are trying to put in place the programs required to resolve the problems and what are, I hope, temporary interruption of earnings for all those who are out of work.

[Older Workers, April 22nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the only neglect that needs to be denounced made here is neglect of the truth. The truth is something the hon. member across the way has obviously never known.

The task force with which the meeting was held is going to produce a report, and when I get that report, I will reach my decision.

[Employment Insurance, April 22nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, seasonal workers across Canada are experiencing this problem. My department and I, personally, are treating everyone the same way. We are dealing with the problem and we are trying to put all the department's resources into finding solutions for individuals, no matter where they work.

[Older Workers, April 21st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the results speak for themselves. This is not just about transitional measures. The best program is a job. Are there jobs in Quebec and in the region? Yes, obviously. For example, last year in Canada, we created 157,000 jobs for older workers, 43,000 of them in Quebec. I see these as positive results, but the Bloc is playing to the gallery.

[Older Workers, April 21st, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to realize today that the member opposite has taken a page from the Liberals. That is wonderful.

Pilot projects have been implemented. We are currently analyzing the results of these pilot projects. Obviously, if the results are positive, decisions will be made and the necessary measures taken to provide people with long term programs.