Susan Truppe

[The Budget, February 13th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member opposite for her comments and for reminding everyone that we are providing $5 million to the new horizons program, but I would also like to correct something in regard to her mentioning that the veterans' offices were closing again.

I would like to reiterate that five offices are merging in the exact same building. One office is across the street, one is less than a kilometre away, and the other one is less than four kilometres away. We are actually providing more services to veterans and not closing the offices.

I would like to list some of the other things we are doing for Canadians in helping them with jobs. We are launching the Canada job grant. We are creating the Canada apprenticeship loan. We are launching a job matching service. We have more paid internships for young Canadians, and we are helping older workers get back to work. Those are just some of the things in economic action plan 2014 that we are doing for Canadians.

[Status of Women, January 31st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's economic action plan 2013 contained measures to increase the participation of under-represented groups in certain sectors of the labour market, including women.

Our economy needs skilled workers, and to meet that demand, we need women working in all occupations, especially in those where they are under-represented.

I was pleased to host round tables across Canada about this issue. I was honoured to begin the round tables at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario.

I am pleased with the recent announcement by the Minister of Status of Women of $2.8 million supporting 14 Ontario-based projects to advance women's opportunities in non-traditional occupations, increase economic options for women, and improve prosperity for immigrant women.

This demonstrates our government's focus on ensuring jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity for all Canadians. That vision starts in communities with women and men who are empowered to fulfill their potential and contribute to the Canadian economy.

[First Nations Elections Act, December 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, Bill C-9 is a good step in the direction of good government on reserve, as the member has already indicated.

We have all heard of electoral abuses during some band elections and their effects on the stability of the affected communities. We are all committed to working to empower first nations communities to become self-governing and to ensure that they experience the economic growth and increased job opportunities that most Canadians have come to expect.

With that in mind, an opt-in framework is more suitable than a mandatory one-size-fits-all approach to band government. Would the member please comment as to why?

[Aboriginal Affairs, December 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we are reminded on a daily basis that violence and the threat violence remain daily realities for so many women and girls, and that is why our government is firmly committed to preventing all forms of violence against women and girls.

Let me give some examples of some of the actions we have taken. We passed the Safe Streets and Communities Act to improve the safety of all Canadians, particularly the most vulnerable members of society. We increased support for victims of crime. We launched the national action plan to combat human trafficking and provided $24 million over two years for the family violence prevention program to help improve safety on reserves.

Let us all work together so that women and girls can live free of violence.

[Status of Women, December 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, again, as far as violence against women and girls, our government is committed to preventing all forms of violence against women and girls.

Since 2007, we have invested over $62 million, for over 300 projects, through Status of Women Canada. This is the highest level ever. Ending violence against women is a priority for the government and will continue to be so.

[Status of Women, December 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government continues to take decisive action to advance equality for women and girls.

That is why international reports continue to rank Canada as a leader in achieving gender equality. For example, in 2012, a global poll of experts found that Canada was the best place in the G20 to be a woman. The United Nations commissioned the 2013 human development report, which ranked Canada among the top countries on human development and gender equality.

This is one of the best places to a woman or a girl.

[Status of Women, December 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, since 2007, we have invested over $62 million in funding for over 300 projects to end violence against women and girls through Status of Women. This is the highest level of funding ever.

We have also ended house arrest for sexual assault involving serious personal injury and aggravated sexual assault, strengthened sentences for child sexual abuse and toughened penalties for those who import, produce and traffic date rape drugs.

If the member opposite was so concerned about helping women and girls, perhaps she should have voted for Bill S-2.

[Status of Women, December 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we are taking action across the country to combat violence against women through measures such as greater resources to support victims of crime and protecting aboriginal women, launching a national action plan to combat human trafficking, increasing penalties for violent crimes and supporting child advocacy centres to better serve young victims and witnesses of crime.

In our economic action plan of 2013, our government also committed $24 million over two years for the family violence prevention program. This government sticks up for women and girls.

[Status of Women, December 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, today also serves to remind Canadians that violence and the threat of violence are daily realities for so many women and girls, and that gender-based violence is not just a women's issue. It affects all of us and we must all be part of the solution.

Our government is committed to preventing all forms of violence against women and girls and we will continue to do so.

[Status of Women, December 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, again, our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the 14 women.

Our government is committed to preventing all forms of violence against women and girls. Since 2007, we have invested over $62 million in funding for over 300 projects to end violence against women and girls. This is the highest level of funding ever in the history of our government.