Kellie Leitch

[Small and Medium-Sized Businesses, December 12th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, today Canada is internationally recognized as one of the best places in the world to do business.

Our red tape reduction action plan promises to further enhance Canada's reputation. Reducing red tape is an important way in which the government can help entrepreneurs and small business do what they do best: innovate, create jobs and grow the economy.

On another note, as I am the last speaker in the House of Commons before the Christmas break, I would like to thank you, the Speaker, the Clerk, the House officers, pages and staff, everyone that allows all of us as parliamentarians to do our jobs well for Canadians.

I want to wish all, as well as my constituents at home in Simcoe—Grey and people across the country, all Canadians, a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Merry Christmas, Mr. Speaker.

[Small and Medium-Sized Businesses, December 12th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to respond to the member concerning the recently announced red tape reduction action plan.

Successful entrepreneurs make successful economies, fuelling innovation and productivity gains, and driving job creation and economic growth.

Ensuring an internationally competitive business environment in which entrepreneurs can thrive has been, and will continue to be, a top priority for our government.

Today, Canada is internationally recognized as one of the best places in the world to do business. A solid fiscal standing, with the lowest debt among the leading G7 countries, a competitive tax regime and a robust regulatory system have distinguished Canada at a time when many countries are struggling with rising debt and an increasing tax burden.

Within this solid business infrastructure, the state of entrepreneurship in Canada is relatively strong. However, unnecessary red tape stifles economic growth and job creation. It is a hidden tax that weighs heaviest on the entrepreneurs least able to bear it: small business owners.

If Canada is to maintain its competitive edge, increase productivity and spur innovation, we must constantly strive to improve the conditions for doing business. Thus, we have announced our red tape reduction action plan that promises to further enhance Canada's global reputation.

Most important, our plan responds directly to the needs and concerns entrepreneurs have raised about red tape, saving small businesses both time and money.

The systematic reforms contained in the action plan are game-changers for doing business in Canada and are among the most ambitious of their kind today. Our red tape reduction action plan will cut red tape, make it easier to do business with the federal government and improve service and predictability.

The action plan is a comprehensive response to the Red Tape Reduction Commission's recommendations. The reforms will update the government's regulations and show results through annual reporting.

Principal among the systematic reforms to be implemented over the next three years are the adoption of a one-for-one rule and the application of a small business lens. The one-for-one rule will require regulators to offset new administrative burden costs imposed on business with equal reductions in administrative burden.

Small business owners are at the very heart of Canada's entrepreneurial drive. Yet, because of their more limited resources, small business owners bear a disproportionate burden of red tape.

We are going to change that by introducing a small business lens to regulations. This means that the federal government will be required to assess the impact on small business to demonstrate efforts to keep costs down.

All in all, there is a checklist that regulators will have to fill out and publish. The checklist will drive efforts to minimize burden on small business, avoid duplication and communicate regulatory requirements in clear, plain language.

We are talking about is reducing the time and money small business owners spend filling out forms and reporting information to government. We are trying to find a smarter, less costly way to do business.

Red tape is a costly, hurtful burden on small businesses. Reducing red tape, especially when everyone is looking for ways to keep costs down, is an important thing for government to do. That is what we are doing, so small businesses can do what they do best: innovate, create jobs and grow the economy.

[Employment Insurance, December 12th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our government is making significant investments to help Canadians in every region of the country find work. Pilot projects are an important feature of the EI program but we need to remember that they are only one part of a bigger pie designed to encourage Canadians to stay active in the job market.

We have introduced the new working while on claim pilot project that allows EI claimants to accept all available work while receiving EI benefits and rewards them for their additional work.

Our government is committed to ensuring EI enables a strong and competitive workforce in every region of the country. We are proud of our economic record and our nearly 900,000 net new jobs created since the downturn of the recession. We are proud to have the strongest job record in the G7. I wonder why the opposition continues to not support this great economic plan?

[Employment Insurance, December 12th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the hon. member regarding her concerns for seasonal workers.

The employment situation of all Canadians is a matter of great concern for this government.

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

The extra five weeks pilot project was always intended as a temporary measure. It was brought in during Canada's economic action plan to help people during the downturn of the recession. The purpose of the EI pilot project is to conduct a test for a defined period, up to three years, in order to accurately assess the labour markets impacts on new approaches that are designed to assist the unemployed.

The extended EI benefits pilot project was designed as a temporary measure to define and provide an extra five weeks of EI benefits for claimants in 21 regions with higher than average unemployment rates as a result of the economic downturn.

The pilot project came to its scheduled end on September 15, and even earlier in regions where there was a sustained period of economic recovery whereby the unemployment rate remained below 8% for 12 consecutive months.

This considered, all EI claimants, including those who are seasonal workers, can still continue to benefit from other recent EI measures introduced by our government. In fact, we are pleased that nearly 900,000 net new jobs have been created since the downturn of the recession, and over 90% of those were full-time.

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

Previously, EI claimants could earn the 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 the earnings threshold. Under the new working while on claim pilot project that came into effect on August 5, eligible claimants are able to keep EI benefits equalling 50% of every dollar earned while on claim, up to 90% of the weekly insurable earnings used to calculate the EI benefits amount. The intent is to encourage claimants to accept all available work while receiving EI benefits and earning some additional income while on claim.

We know some concerns have been raised about this new pilot project, and we have listened. That is why we recently announced adjustments to the new pilot project.

This will allow individuals to temporarily revert to the rules that existed under the previous pilot project.

As our government is 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.

[Search and Rescue, December 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, public safety is this government's first priority, as I mentioned before. As we have stated many times before, the provision of bilingual coordination services will not be compromised by the consolidation of the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre Quebec into the joint rescue coordination centres. In fact, the Canadian Coast Guard plans to enhance the bilingual capacity of coordination services over time with the levels currently in place. With such enhanced bilingual capacity, French-speaking mariners, as I mentioned before, can be confident that their calls for assistance will be answered in the language of their choice by highly trained professional search and rescue coordinators.

We recognize that some people are concerned about this transition. However, I stand before you to reassure Canadians. Bilingual search and rescue services will always be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Such is our commitment now and our pledge for the future. The safety and security of Canadians will not be compromised.

[Search and Rescue, December 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the member opposite on the consolidation of the maritime rescue sub-centre located in Quebec City with the joint rescue coordination centres located in Halifax and Trenton. This is an issue that we have discussed repeatedly in the House and there seems to be quite a bit of confusion over the facts.

Let me begin by reiterating that Fisheries and Oceans Canada remains steadfast in its dedication to the safety of all Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Canada is a national and international leader in marine safety and the Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue program is among the best in the world. As we have stated many times before, this change does not affect the availability of search and rescue resources.

Coast Guard ships and the Coast Guard Auxiliary will continue to respond to emergencies as they have previously with the joint rescue coordination centres maintaining the current levels of service provided by the Canadian Coast Guard. We will continue to ensure that timely and appropriate marine search and rescue coordination and response services are available to all mariners.

With regard to the report by the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Canadian Coast Guard is well positioned to respond to the recommendations and have already taken action to address the key issues raised in the report. However, the blanket statement that distress calls made in French will not be handled properly if they are handled in Halifax or Trenton is simply unfounded. In fact, the national level of bilingual capacity will be enhanced over time, above and beyond that which is already provided.

Here are the facts. Currently, bilingual services are provided by two rescue centres: Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax and the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre Quebec. The consolidation team has taken great care to ensure that the capacity is enhanced before the Quebec centre is fully consolidated into the joint rescue coordination centres. First, our ongoing campaign to recruit successful bilingual applicants continues to bring forward motivated professionals who are dedicated to ensuring public safety. Second, we are providing existing maritime search and rescue coordinators with additional language training, and third, we have added additional bilingual coordination positions and increased the current level of language proficiency.

With such enhanced bilingual capacity, French-speaking mariners can be confident that their calls for assistance will be answered by trained and capable French-speaking coordinators, as has always been the case. Let me reassure the member that this transition will have no impact on existing search and rescue coordination service standards. Coordination services will still be provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in both official languages and will be delivered by the joint rescue coordination centres in Halifax and Trenton. The provision of bilingual services is critical.

We understand that change can be a bit difficult as the future can be difficult to predict. However, in this case, there is no cause for concern as we have taken careful steps to address these requirements. The Canadian Coast Guard prides itself on providing reliable services that Canadians can be confident in and this will not be changed. Such is the pledge of this government and will continue to be.

[Employment Insurance, December 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the hon. member that this is the government that has created nearly 900,000 jobs since the end of the economic recession, in fact, 90% of those have been full-time jobs, and our unemployment rate is at the lowest point since before the recession. That is because we have had an effective economic action plan that includes a number of initiatives that provide opportunities to Canadians.

As I mentioned previously, our top priorities are job creation and economic growth. Our improvements to EI are meant to support workers in returning to work. As I mentioned earlier, if there are no jobs available, employment insurance will be there as it always has been for Canadians. I wonder why the NDP and the Liberals continue to vote against all of these initiatives that create jobs for Canadians.

[Employment Insurance, December 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to take this opportunity to respond to the hon. member for Drummond regarding employment insurance benefits.

The purpose of the employment insurance plan is to provide temporary financial help for unemployed Canadians who have lost their job through no fault of their own.

It is intended to tide them over until they can find another job or while they are upgrading their skills. Canadians are always better off working than being on employment insurance. That is why, in economic action plan, 2012, we introduced a new national working while on claim project, among many other benefits for Canadians.

Previously, EI claimants could earn the 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 would be reduced dollar for dollar. This provided a disincentive to accept additional work beyond the threshold.

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

This project seeks to encourage claimants to accept any available job at the same time as they are receiving employment insurance benefits, and thus obtain additional income.

We know some concerns have been raised about the new pilot project and we have listened. That is why we have recently announced adjustments to the new pilot project. On October 5, the government announced its intention to amend the current working while on claim pilot project. This amendment is aimed at providing the option of reverting to the rules that existed under the previous pilot project to recent EI claimants who were on claim and had earned between August 7, 2011 and August 4, 2012. It will allow these claimants time to transition to the new rules. This pilot project is just one of many improvements our government has made to the EI program. In making these changes, we are striving to find a balance between providing adequate income support and giving people all the support they need to quickly reintegrate into the workforce.

Our top priorities are creating jobs, supporting economic growth and ensuring long-term prosperity for all Canadians. Of course, if there are no employment opportunities available, EI will continue to be there for Canadians when they need it. Through our targeted, common-sense changes to EI, we are helping Canadians connect with available opportunities and giving them opportunities to remain connected while they look for a new job.

[Susan Wells, December 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of an exceptional woman, a community advocate, a dedicated volunteer and an outstanding role model for all Canadians: Ms. Susan Wells. A tireless social worker for Collingwood and an ally for those less fortunate, Susan was tragically killed while on her fourth aid mission to Tanzania where she was working to improve the lives of children and youth in extreme poverty.

Susan was a kind and generous spirit. Her commitment to others never wavered. She put others' needs ahead of her own, fighting for mental health resources and education here at home and abroad. Raised in a loving family with a tradition of family service and community service, Susan worked to strengthen other families. She exemplified the best of Canadian values: compassion, empathy and a sense of responsibility.

It was Susan's quiet leadership that brought educational opportunities, health care and sustainable income to third world nations. In Ecuador, she assisted in medical aid. In Tanzania, she created scholarship funds. She helped build orphanages and she worked toward a drop-in centre for street children.

Beyond these admirable traits, Susan was a treasured daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many. Let us formally recognize Susan and let her life serve as an inspiration to other Canadians who work courageously to make their communities and our world a better place.

[Employment Insurance, December 5th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the improvements we are making to the employment insurance program are intended to help unemployed people all across Canada.

We are here to help and support unemployed workers.

Unlike the NDP members, who are putting forward a carbon tax that would increase taxes and decrease available jobs, we are focused on ensuring individuals have job availability.

We are strengthening the EI program to ensure that it is fair, flexible and helps Canadians to not only find jobs, but also earn additional income while on claim. We are helping claimants stay attached to the labour force while making available to them EI benefits. These changes make it easier for claimants to stay connected to the workforce.

Unlike the NDP carbon tax, which, as I mentioned before, would increase taxes and therefore decrease the availability of jobs to Canadians, we are focused on a job creation program.