Kellie Leitch

[Employment Insurance, March 1st, 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 local skills. This initiative is clarifying, not changing, the responsibilities of individuals who are collecting EI. As I have mentioned many times in this House before, employment insurance will continue to be available to those who need it, who have applied and have paid into the program through their regular qualification periods.

We look forward to ensuring that we better connect Canadians with available jobs so that they are able to have that great job and improve their quality of life.

[Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, March 1st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. The member opposite has his facts absolutely wrong. The difference between the main estimates reflects a shift between contribution funding and grant funding. The total budget for the homelessness partnership strategy is exactly the same and will continue to be funded to 2014.

Our programs fund and make sure that those individuals who need a roof over their head have it, unlike the NDP that puts forward, again and again, schemes to make sure Canadian taxpayers cannot afford a home, whether that be its $21 billion carbon tax or other items it puts forward.

We want to make sure Canadians have a roof over their heads—

[Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, March 1st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to CMHC and this issue with regard to website postings, it is entirely appropriate for a crown corporation to post its costing of a legislative item before the House of Commons. We see that regularly here. In fact, opposition members often ask for these items in order to make sure they know what is occurring. That is exactly what CMHC is doing.

What we have put forward is a plan to make sure that Canadians have opportunities for housing, have opportunities to deal with homelessness, all of which are things that the NDP vote against.

[Employment Insurance, March 1st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government made changes that are meant to help connect unemployed Canadian workers with jobs available in their region and in their field.

This initiative clarifies but does not change the responsibilities of Canadians who claim employment insurance benefits. Those who are unable to find work will be able to count on the employment insurance program, as always.

[Labour, February 15th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, both I and the minister have been disappointed that we have not found an opportunity for these two parties to come together. The minister continues to monitor the circumstances and the federal mediator remains involved in assisting both parties in coming to a reasonable solution. We encourage both parties to work together to come to an accommodation in the best interests of Canadians and the Canadian economy.

[Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, February 15th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize individuals in my riding of Simcoe—Grey who have demonstrated true community service and volunteerism, individuals who are receiving the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. This commemorative medal is a way of Canada honouring Her Majesty's 60 years of service and serves to honour significant contributions by Canadians.

Camille-Marie Boucher, a member of the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, has dedicated a significant amount of time advocating for first nation people in northern Ontario.

Second Lieutenant Daniel Copeland, a veteran of the Canadian armed forces, is a local businessman who spends extensive time with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Scouts Canada and the Alliston Volunteer Fire Fighters.

Honorary Colonel Kenneth Hedges has served in various regions around the world and was awarded the distinguished Polar Medal. He is a physician in northern Ontario and the Northwest Territories. He is currently a member of the Honourable Guard of the Grey and Simcoe Foresters.

These select individuals are a true testament to the service and dedication represented by Her Majesty. They have given so much to Simcoe—Grey and to our country. I want to congratulate them on this tremendous honour.

[Employment Insurance, February 14th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows that his claim about the CPP and EI is completely false. There has been no change to that program. In fact, the extra five-week pilot project came to its intended end as a pilot project, as the member opposite knows.

Our government acknowledges that Canada is not immune to economic uncertainty and we are well aware that our recovery remains exceptionally fragile. That is why the economic action plan brought forward changes to employment insurance to help better connect Canadians with available jobs.

Our government's priorities are job creation, growth and long-term prosperity.

As I mentioned earlier, since July 2009, Canada has created over 900,000 net new jobs and our focus for the future will remain job creation, just like it has been. As well, employment insurance will continue to be there at all times for those who require it.

[Employment Insurance, February 14th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, Happy Valentine's Day to you and your wife.

I welcome the opportunity tonight to respond to the member for Malpeque regarding his concerns about seasonal workers.

The extra five-week pilot project was always intended to be a temporary measure brought in during Canada's economic action plan to help people during the recession. Thankfully, Canada has been leading the G7 in economic growth. Since the deepest days of the recession, we have seen over 900,000 net new jobs created. This is tangible proof of Canada's economic recovery.

As the hon. member already knows, our country faces ongoing skills and labour shortages. Therefore, it is important that we ensure that the employment insurance program is working effectively for Canada and Canadians.

Canadians want to earn a good living, support their families and be productive members in their communities. Our government is ensuring that the EI program supports them in achieving this goal and never acts as a disincentive to Canadians who really want to work.

That is why on October 5, our government announced its intention to amend the current working while on claim pilot project. This amendment would provide a new option for recent EI claimants who are on claim and had earnings between August 7, 2011 and August 4, 2012 and were eligible to benefit from the working while on claim provision. I would add that previous claimants have the option to use the previous pilot program if they feel the program was more advantageous.

We are also providing enhanced labour market information to claimants to support their job search efforts, including enhanced online job alerts. EI recipients can now get job postings up to twice a day for their chosen occupation within their communities, as well as postings for jobs in related occupations.

These job alerts will help them to make more enlightened decisions on how to direct their job search.

We will also be increasing the coordination between the temporary foreign worker program and the EI program. We want to ensure that Canadians who are available and have the right skills get first crack at the jobs.

The employment situation of all Canadians is of great concern to this government.

That is why our government's top priorities will continue to be focused on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.

[Employment Insurance, February 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government is making significant investments to help Canadians in every region of the country find work. Connecting Canadians to available jobs in their local area is vital to supporting our long-term economic growth and productivity as well as the quality of life for all Canadians.

These changes are about helping unemployed workers and providing them with opportunities to get back into the workforce.

The changes we have made to employment insurance are needed to ensure that this program remains fair and efficient. In other words, these changes are designed to help Canadians find work faster and keep it.

As I have said many times in this place, personal circumstances will always be taken into consideration, and for those who are unable to find work, EI will continue to be there as it always has been.

[Employment Insurance, February 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the hon. member regarding her concerns about employment insurance and seasonal workers.

Employment outcomes for all Canadians is something that this government is very concerned about.

Our government is focused on job creation. In fact, we have helped to create over 900,000 jobs in the country since the downturn of the recession.

As the hon. member already knows, our country faces ongoing skills and labour shortages. Therefore, it is important that we make changes now to ensure the employment insurance program is working effectively for Canada and Canadians.

The fact that the extended EI benefits pilot project came to its intended end date certainly does not mean we have abandoned seasonal workers. Thankfully, Canada has some of the strongest growth in the G7. That is why the temporary extra five-week pilot project was allowed to expire.

This EI pilot program was a temporary measure. It was brought forward in 2008 and extended to 2010 by Canada's economic action plan, to help EI recipients during the recession. This project was always meant to be temporary. In fact, a couple of the regions that were covered by the pilot finished early because they had 12 consecutive months of unemployment below 8%. One of the regions under this pilot had almost 5% unemployment for a significant period of time. All EI claimants, including those who are seasonal workers, can continue to benefit from other recent EI measures introduced by our government.

One important improvement that we have made includes the variable best weeks initiative, coming into effect April 7, 2013. This change takes a pan-Canadian approach to calculating EI benefits. This means that people living in regions with similar labour market conditions will now receive similar EI benefits.

We have also introduced, through economic action plan 2012, a new national working while on claim pilot project.

Previously, EI claimants could earn an equivalent of 40% or $75 of their weekly benefits without seeing a reduction in their benefits. However, if their earnings were above that threshold, their benefits were reduced dollar for dollar. This created a disincentive to accept work beyond that earning threshold.

Under the new working while on claim pilot project that came into effect August 5, eligible claimants are able to keep EI benefits equalling 50% of every dollar earned while on claim, up to 90% of their weekly insurable earnings used to calculate their EI benefit amount.

The intent is to encourage claimants to accept all available work while receiving EI benefits and earn some additional income while on claim.

As our government remains focused on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity, we are committed to supporting workers and ensuring that EI enables a strong and competitive workforce for all Canadians in every region of the country.