House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 33% of the vote.
Child Care June 28th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago we were on the verge of signing an agreement in principle with the Government of New Brunswick. We had an agreement among officials. We are still looking forward to finalizing something with New Brunswick which would represent something quite significant to people in rural and remote areas in New Brunswick, in particular, an increase of about 130% on what is currently being spent on child care in that province.
Child Poverty June 20th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, there are a few provinces that are clawing back. The great majority now are not. It is certainly something that bears close watching.
As the hon. member knows, there is that much more money that is going into the national child benefit. It will be up to over $10 billion in 2007. There has been an evaluation recently that shows it is having an impact. At the end of June we will be having federal, provincial and territorial meetings. We are going to see what has happened with the NCB since 1998--
Child Care June 20th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I might remind the hon. member, in terms of the comments she made about rural and remote child care, that the province of Saskatchewan by the third year will have an increase of 95% on what it is that is currently available for child care within the province from governments; the province of Manitoba, 48%; Ontario a 69% increase; the province of New Brunswick, 132%; Nova Scotia, 90%, the province of Newfoundland, 130%
Child Care June 20th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, those of us on this side of the House very much welcome the comments that are being made from that side of the House.
The difference, however, is that we have not heard anything more than a suggestion that something will be forthcoming. However, nothing has been forthcoming and therefore it is not possible to comment on what is being suggested.
What we know is that this government has committed $5 billion over five years, a 48% commitment, which is an increase on what is currently being spent.
Child Care June 20th, 2005
I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, I did not hear the question.
Child Care June 20th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I need to remind the hon. member that a year ago, at this particular stage, early learning and child care in this country was fairly static. During the election campaign, the government decided to make a campaign promise of $5 billion over five years.
The party on the other side of the House made a campaign commitment that would result in an increase of about $320 per child per low income family. That is the difference between these two parties.
Child Care June 20th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the question is whether the budget bill passes. If the budget bill passes, then there will be $700 million that will pass to the provinces and to the territories. That $700 million will represent an increase of about 30% on all money that is now being spent by the different provinces and territories by all levels of government.
Child Care June 14th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, once again, the hon. member, in just about everything she said, is wrong. She was wrong yesterday and she is wrong today. At a certain point one would have to assume that she is purposely wrong.
What we are trying to do is create a national early learning and child care system that will be there for all parents and for all children, a system that has ambitions of early learning, a system that will be there for rural areas, remote areas and urban areas, not $320 a year for the lowest income.
Child Care June 14th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, since last July, I have travelled across the country many times. I have been coast to coast and almost to coast. Everywhere I go I listen to people talk about their lives and how they have lived their lives. I listen to them talk about the challenges of having children and the goals, the ambitions and the hopes they have for their children. I listen to them talk about what they have, what they would like to have and what they are missing.
One of the things they would like to have is the choice of good, affordable, available early learning and child care.
Child Care June 14th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as I have said in the House many times before, the Quebec system is an inspiration. It is what has inspired early learning and child care development across the country.
The problems in the province of Quebec are mostly problems of ambition. However, it is much better to have problems of ambition than problems of a lack of ambition.