Mr. Speaker, in 2004 the Liberals put in place a task force stating that they wanted proactive, comprehensive, pay equity legislation.
This government is bringing that legislation forward. They did not do it. We are getting the job down.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 71% of the vote.
Pay Equity February 25th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, in 2004 the Liberals put in place a task force stating that they wanted proactive, comprehensive, pay equity legislation.
This government is bringing that legislation forward. They did not do it. We are getting the job down.
Access to Information February 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I answered that question which was asked by the member for Malpeque. I gave a fulsome answer to that member. However, I will repeat it.
The member is trying to create the impression that decisions regarding the information being released are driven at the political level. That is absolutely false. These requests are never handled by ministers or their political staff. That work is done by professional public servants in the public service.
Access to Information February 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the member is trying to create the impression that decisions about what information to release are driven at the political level. That is in fact absolutely false, and that member knows it.
ATIA requests are never handled by ministers or political staff. The work is done by individuals in the public service. We assume and we expect them to obey the law in every respect.
Pay Equity February 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we are changing the system so that women will no longer have to wait for 15 years for compensation.
Under the old way of doing things, unions refused to deal with pay equity issues during negotiations. We believe that everyone is responsible for pay equity in the workforce, so unions and employers, both parties, must ensure that equity is achieved in a collective agreement. That is only fair to women. That is fair to society.
Pay Equity February 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I find it hard to understand how the process could be any slower. At present, women have to wait 15 or 20 years in order to achieve equity in the workforce. That is simply not acceptable.
We are adopting proactive legislation, in the same way that the member for Toronto Centre did when he was in the Ontario legislature, to ensure that women have equity in the workplace on a timely basis.
Business of Supply February 12th, 2009
And five or more members having risen:
Business of Supply February 12th, 2009
Mr. Chair, if the member studies the material as closely as I did, he will find that the form of this bill is the same as that passed in the previous supply period.
Business of Supply February 12th, 2009
moved:
That Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009 be concurred in.
Status of Women February 12th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I believe we should be closing that gap and 15 years is too long to wait. Each of us in the economy, whether it is a union or an employer, has a positive obligation to ensure that women receive equity in the workforce. That is what we are about and that is what we are doing in this legislation, which is why we hope this House and that member will support this very important legislation.
Status of Women February 12th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, what I do not understand is how the member does not understand the cost to women for having to wait for 15 years to have a complaint resolved.
We brought forward a proactive system to ensure women would receive equity in the workforce on a timely basis. I am proud of our government's efforts in that respect.