Rodger Cuzner

[Employment Insurance, February 4th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate and respect the comments made by my colleague across the aisle.

Our government is absolutely committed to improving the EI program so that it is better aligned with today's labour market realities and is responsive to the needs of Canadian workers. Seeking public input is essential. What we saw with the last government is that when we do make changes in isolation, usually there are unintended consequences and outcomes. Therefore, we want to seek broad public consultation. I know that Canadians are eager to meet, consult, and share their opinions, as I am sure my colleague is.

Our government will pursue the most effective options to ensure changes to the EI system are fair and responsive to today's workers and employers.

[Employment Insurance, February 4th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I can assure my friend from Neigette—Temiscouata—Les Basques that our government is actively exploring potential changes to the employment insurance program. I know that my colleague is very passionate. We represent similar ridings where seasonal industries really drive local economies. The changes that have been undertaken in the past have had an adverse effect on many of the aspects of the communities where the fish are caught and the crops are harvested.

We want to make sure the EI program is more responsive to the needs of Canadian workers and employers. Consultations will be well under way in the coming months. Our government will work with parliamentarians, provincial and territorial colleagues, as well as members of the public. Something that is a bit novel but worthwhile is that we will hold a number of forums, such as town halls and social media, to get the input of Canadians.

Our government is sensitive to the ongoing situation in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and across the country as a result of lower commodity prices. I see it in my own riding of Cape Breton—Canso, where we have long been a pool of very mobile skilled labour. We are carefully monitoring the situation, and we are working to help people who have lost their jobs return to work as quickly as possible.

The EI program is designed to respond to economic changes. The system is flexible and responsive to deteriorating economic conditions and changes in local labour markets. For example, when a region's unemployment rate rises, the entrance requirement is reduced and the duration of benefits increases. The duration of EI benefits has increased in all four economic regions of Alberta. In northern Alberta specifically, more people are qualifying for EI because the unemployment rate is now higher. The qualifications for benefits have dropped from 630 hours of work down to 455 hours, making EI more accessible.

In addition, the minimum entitlement has gone from 17 weeks to 24 weeks of support, and the maximum entitlement has gone from 40 weeks to 45 weeks, the highest level of support in the country.

The government is looking into possible measures that could be used to help those most affected. Budget 2016 will signal early changes to the EI program and outline subsequent steps for reform. More broadly, we are committed to take action in a number of areas to ensure the EI program is responsive to the needs of Canadians. This includes eliminating discrimination against workers who are newly entering the workforce or re-entering the workforce, reversing the 2012 changes to the employment insurance system related to suitable job search and employment, and I know my colleague has spoken about this, investing in labour market development agreements with the provinces, developing more flexible parental benefits, reducing wait times and improving service standards, and reducing EI premiums.

We want to hear from Canadians on this. We believe Canadians have a role to play in building effective policies and programs. Our government will seek opportunities to gather ideas and perspectives to deliver on our priorities.

I look forward to working with my colleague to make these improvements a reality for Canadians.

[Canada Labour Code, February 3rd, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I want to commend my colleague from Louis-Saint-Laurent for his speech. I know he is new to this chamber, but he is certainly not new to politics. His approach to speaking in the House, obviously he is eloquent, articulate, passionate, and is very much able to put forward an argument no matter how weak the position of his party is. Although it was entertaining too.

The House is about debate, but we want to get to the essence and I know that my colleague from Louis-Saint-Laurent would want the record clarified on one aspect, and then I want to make another comment and ask a question.

He referred to the fact that the legislation has not been challenged and he would want to know that the Alberta Union of Public Employees has launched a challenge to the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench on the particular legislation, so I know he would want that cleared up for the record.

The comment about banging the desk is because we were pretty animated talking about the big union henchmen and this is something that the Conservative government did in the last Parliament. Conservatives tried to villainize organized labour. Every reference to organized labour was about the big union bosses.

When the member for Red Deer—Lacombe introduced this legislation, he talked about the mountain of grievances against big union bosses. Through testimony we asked the president of the Labour Relations Council, “How many grievances were filed against big union bosses over the last 10 years? The answer was two. There were four against companies, but two against organized labour.

Does he see that as a mountain of grievances? Is that the mountain?

[Interparliamentary Delegations, January 29th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand to present two reports from interparliamentary delegations, in both official languages: the report of the Canadian delegation of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association with respect to its participation and bilateral visit to Australia, held in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory; Sydney, New South Wales; and Hobart, Tasmania, from February 5 to 15, 2015; and, the Canadian delegation of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association with respect to its participation at the executive committee meeting at the CPA 61st General Assembly held in London, from October 1 to 5, 2015.

[Health, January 27th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, on this Bell “Let's Talk Day”, I rise to pay tribute to an exceptional young lady from my riding, Becky Hanna, a happy kid with great friends, an excellent student at Cape Breton University, and a varsity athlete.

She had a great life going on except for one thing: bulimia nervosa. It was a severe disorder that she hid from her family and friends for a year, a compulsion that was more of an addiction that yielded a binge then purge cycle that she could not stop no matter how hard she tried.

Some days Becky would purge once or twice, but other days it would be seven or eight times, taking a heavy toll on her body and a heavier one on her mind.

Becky realized she was not alone and her condition was not uncommon. With the support of her family and friends, she works every day to confront her demons.

On Becky's behalf, I ask the House to visit Becky Hanna's Facebook page and share her video with family and friends. On behalf of all parliamentarians, let me commend and thank this exceptional young lady for sharing her important message.

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, January 25th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, it is good to see you back in the chair.

I know my colleague is very passionate about the housing issue, but in a broader context, I want to talk about the functioning of our democracy and what has gone on over the last four years.

In committees, we have heard questions from the Conservatives about poverty. There was good work done by the human resources, skills and social development committee before the 2011 election. It put forward quality recommendations to the minister that were cast aside by the last government.

In conversation with the former NDP member, Peter Stoffer, he and I reminisced a couple of weeks ago about how committees used to get together. We could have John Cummins on one end, who would be considered a little bit to the right, and a social democrat like Stoffer on the other end, but they would come together and make a unanimous recommendation to the minister and the government to go forward and help those stakeholders.

Does my colleague see that there is potential to change what has happened over the last four years where committees have been used as a vehicle to drive home a specific ideology? Does he see some kind of hope for it in this Parliament?

[42nd General Election, December 10th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, T'was the week before Christmas, and all through the land
A spankin' new government was now in command.
We will soon settle in for debating and voting;
But after 10 years over there, forgive me for gloating.

It began August 2nd, an eleven-week campaign;
Which Canadian voters believed was insane.

Conservatives were disappointed, not pleased with their tally;
They expected more bounce from that Rob Ford rally.
Their refugee plan left them wounded and smarting
When it became disembowelled by Rosemary Barton.
And the cultural practices tip line, add that to the list;
Yes the Tories were angry, but the Dippers, they were...pretty angry too.
The loss left them stinging, all wounded and sore
When all they said they needed was 35 seats more.

And our Green Party leader, she has no room to laugh;
Her fledgling young party was reduced by one half.
Canadians have spoken and have done so with zeal;
They want hope for the future and change that is real.

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, December 8th, 2015]

Madam Speaker, allow me the opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment. As well, I thank the voters of Cape Breton—Canso for the great honour of coming back to the House to represent them for a sixth term.

My riding and that of my colleague are similar. I know that in Atlantic Canada 54% of the regional GDP is generated from seasonal industries. What I heard over the course of the campaign was that the changes that had been made really had an impact on the EI system and depleted the workforce in these seasonal industries.

I would ask my colleague if he had heard the same and if he understands the urgency on the part of our government to make changes to ensure that these industries will have access to a workforce that is so necessary.

[Public Service of Canada, June 19th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the end of National Public Service Week. Most Canadians understand that we need a strong public service, one to protect our food and water, to keep our transportation system safe, and to provide services for our elderly, our veterans, and the unemployed.

However, one of the legacies of the pathetic current government will be the profound disrespect it has shown for our public servants. I ask the government, in its dying days, for a deathbed conversion. Will the Conservatives finally respect the work our public servants do, respect their rights, and bargain in good faith?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, June 17th, 2015]

With regard to materials prepared for past or current parliamentary secretaries or their staff from April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2011: for every briefing document or docket prepared, what is the (i) date, (ii) title or subject matter, (iii) department’s internal tracking number?