House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 38% of the vote.
Employment Insurance March 9th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, it is not a matter of denying workers money they are owed. I answered a similar question yesterday. Necessary measures have been taken to ensure that those whose benefits were cut or those who did not receive the benefits they were entitled to did in fact receive them. Measures have already been taken to give them what they were owed.
Employment Insurance March 8th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, it is not a matter of taking away employees' rights. I just said that there was a process in place. There were problems that have just been corrected because, obviously, employees are able to appeal past decisions.
We are now implementing a process that will prevent problems like the current one.
Employment Insurance March 8th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, obviously, there have been appeals about the current situation. The member has just reminded us that there were different responses, as can happen with a process that allows people to appeal past decisions.
That said, I am happy to announce that the department will respond in a very positive manner to the solution proposed by the court.
Human Resources Development February 26th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his continued and ongoing interest in this issue. Of course we have been looking at this problem. My officials have now begun a process whereby they will engage the employers with them and discuss the issue of overpayments.
As the member knows very well, the employment insurance department is a national program and what we need to do is maintain the integrity of that program in this process. I will be pleased to inform him and the House of the progress of such discussions as they proceed toward a resolution.
Employment Insurance February 25th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I have already told the House several times that the government is reviewing the situation as it exists in the hon. member's riding and in all the provinces where there is a problem that needs to be looked into. A further consideration is that the regional and provincial authorities and private sector partners all have roles to play in solving this problem.
Student Loans February 24th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to answer such a question. The member opposite has been very much engaged in promoting the issues of students and post-secondary education.
I am delighted to address the fact that, yes, we are addressing that concern specifically. My parliamentary secretary responsible has been travelling the country to look at the ways in which we can engage to reduce the debt through interest relief and others.
However, I want to point out to the House that the Government of Canada spends in excess of $1.6 billion a year in student loans to help out 350,000 students--
Canadian National Railway February 23rd, 2004
Mr. Speaker, as you may well know, and I know the hon. member knows, the strike action began just last February 20 and the employer is continuing to operate currently with the help of management personnel. However the union and the employer have indicated that grain and passenger services will not be affected by this work. In fact, they have begun to renegotiate.
It is our hope, as it is the hope of everybody else in the House, that those talks will bring about an amicable and worthwhile solution, and that the member opposite can put his outrage toward another serious event.
Employment Insurance February 19th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, this is obviously a cause for concern, but the EI program is dedicated to finding solutions to such problems.
The other component of my department is working on finding long term solutions. This of course means that all local, regional and provincial resources must be focussed on seeking lasting solutions, because it is obvious that economic diversification must be encouraged, if only—
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply February 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague. He and I share some history.
Yes, we have sparred on many occasions but on this occasion we will not. We will agree. He is right, the debt load for many students, especially those in the professional faculties, is onerous at the very least and most difficult, and it is something we have to address.
I do not want to scoop the finance minister, but we have indicated in the Speech from the Throne that mechanisms will be put in place to allow for the inclusion of eligible expenses and we will include more eligible expenses for a larger swath of the middle class to be a part of this. We want to encourage more students to pursue higher learning. We will be able to give more details when the budget comes forward.
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply February 16th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, first, with regard to the second part of the question, I am very interested, as minister, to take part in this council of ministers of education.
Of course, there are jurisdictional problems, but my department has already indicated the interest of the current minister and of those who will come after me in becoming members of this council.
Indeed, it is important to have a truly Canadian concept that goes beyond classroom education, which is under provincial jurisdiction.
Therefore, my answer is yes, I am open to that.
With respect to the first part of the member's question, I am pleased to say that I met with students from the medical profession just a few moments ago. They expressed to me the same kinds of concerns that the hon. member for Peterborough has indicated.
Consistent with what I said earlier, we have already taken into consideration some of the costs that are borne by students that have not in the past been considered as part of the legitimate or eligible cost for deductions either for their parents or the students themselves, and we are heading in that direction.