Kellie Leitch

[Employment Insurance, June 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the current appeals process for employment insurance is expensive and slow. Fewer than one in three claims is actually heard in 30 days. The new Social Security Tribunal will continue to provide a fair, fast and accessible appeals process for Canadians by eliminating duplication.

We are focused on ensuring Canadians have an opportunity for a fair and fast hearing, unlike the opposition that wants to create inefficiencies.

[Employment Insurance, June 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government is making common sense changes to better connect unemployed Canadians with available jobs in their local areas that match their skills.

Let us be very clear. What we have put forward with respect to EI is something that is working. We now have one million net new jobs since 2009, meaning fewer Canadians actually require employment insurance.

We are moving forward and ensuring jobs are available to Canadians. We encourage the opposition to get on board.

[Intergovernmental Relations, June 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we want to work with the provinces so that training flows from the government to employers and available workers. There are too many jobs sitting vacant in Canada because employers cannot find workers with the right skills.

Our initiatives will help employers fill available positions by hiring Canadians who want to work.

[Housing, June 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the pyrrhotite issue falls under provincial jurisdiction.

In August 2011, the Government of Quebec launched a provincial program to provide financial assistance to homeowners coping with pyrrhotite damage. People concerned about the pyrrhotite problem should contact the province's housing corporation, the Société d'habitation du Québec.

[Relay for Life, June 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to speak about a great charity event that occurs nationwide, the Relay for Life.

The relay is an inspirational 12-hour overnight event that brings our communities together to fight cancer. At the Relay for Life, teams gather with cancer survivors on their local tracks and walk or run throughout the entire evening.

This year is the 75th anniversary of the relay. For 75 years, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Relay for Life have been battling against cancer.

I want to commend the following individuals in my riding of Simcoe—Grey: Sarah Marrs-Bruce, who on Friday, June 14 will lead the charge in Alliston, and Brenda O'Neill, who on July 12 will lead the charge in Thornbury, making sure we are battling cancer in our local area.

Every dollar raised through the Relay for Life helps the Canadian Cancer Society create a more meaningful impact in local communities. These are fabulous volunteers, and I encourage everyone to get out and participate in the relay and help fight against cancer.

[Employment Insurance, June 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows, employment insurance premiums are paid by both workers and employers.

Let us be very clear. We are focused on making sure that employment insurance is available for those who need it when they, through no fault of their own, are not able to be employed. More importantly, we are focused on ensuring that Canadians are connected to jobs so that they have the right skills in the right place so that they can provide for their families.

I encourage the member opposite to get on board and support the Canada job grant and our numerous other initiatives in economic action plan 2013.

[Government Appointments, June 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I will say this again in English to be very clear.

Our government makes appointments based on merit. Positions on the Social Security Tribunal were advertised broadly. Members appointed went through a rigorous, competency-based selection process where they had to meet specific experience and competency criteria in order to have the roles.

[Government Appointments, June 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government makes appointments based on merit. The Social Security Tribunal positions were widely advertised. The members appointed were subject to a rigorous competency-based selection process and had to meet specific criteria relating to the experience and competencies required to perform these duties.

[Science and Technology, June 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, this government is extremely proud of its scientists and its record for supporting science and research in the country. Since the Prime Minister launched our country's science and technology strategy in 2007, we have made substantial investments to strengthen Canada's research advantages. As I mentioned before, since 2006, our government has provided more than $9 billion in new resources to support science, technology and growth in innovative businesses.

Guided by our science and technology strategy, our government will continue to support federal scientists and researchers who undertake world-class research in these areas that benefit all Canadians.

[Science and Technology, June 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to respond to the comments made earlier by the hon. member.

Since the Prime Minister launched our country's science and technology strategy in 2007, we have made substantial investments to strengthen Canada's research advantage. Since 2006, our government has provided more than $9 billion in new resources to support science, technology and growth in innovative businesses. We have helped Canada attract and retain research talent and create a highly skilled workforce that is required for a more prosperous economy. In fact, over the past decade, we have seen a net migration of researchers into the country because of the tremendous opportunities available in Canada.

Guided by our strategy, Canada has reached the top of the OECD's G7 rankings for higher education expenditures on R and D expressed as a percentage of GDP. Our government will continue to support freshwater research across the country. Since 2006, we have invested significantly to support science that is crucial to the long-term sustainability of Canada's oceans and resources. These investments have included the refurbishment of over a dozen labs, the construction of three science vessels, the completion of ocean mapping, support to commercial fishing in the Arctic, the establishment of an Asian carp initiative and the development of adaptive strategies to climate change.

We have also supported excellent freshwater research performed by our post-secondary institutions. The knowledge infrastructure program invested $2 billion in more than 500 post-secondary infrastructure projects across the country, including projects related to freshwater research. This significant investment provides economic stimulus, creates jobs and helps generate the advanced technology infrastructure needed to keep Canada's institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement.

We are proud of the work of our scientists. Guided by our science and technology strategy, we will continue to support them in their undertaking of world-class research that builds on the knowledge of our oceans, waterways and fisheries resources.