Questions On The Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, in so far as Human Resources Development Canada is concerned the reply is as follows: Question No. 18-

Employment Insurance Act  That's the best you can do?

Employment Insurance Act  Mr. Speaker, I note with interest that the hon. member for Quebec does not mention in her remarks that part II of the bill lays out very clearly the five major employment tools that will be used with the consent of the provinces, in this case the province of Quebec. I want to ask her a very specific question relating to seasonal workers and part time workers.

Employment Insurance Act  Oh, oh.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, I am not here to filibuster like my friend opposite. I was going to raise a point of order and suggest that if he wanted to speak again we would let him. Some of us could ask questions of him rather than having him talk for five minutes instead of asking members questions.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, Ontario puts a significant amount of money into the system. For every $1 working men and women in Ontario put in, we receive 76 cents back. In 1993 Quebecers received $1.29 for every $1 they put into the system. Under the new EI system they will receive $1.32 for every $1 they put in.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, a point of order. I would like to let the House know that throughout the rest of the day on third reading of this bill, members on the government side will be sharing their time equally, 10 and 5.

Employment Insurance Act  Mr. Speaker, the employment insurance system set out in Bill C-12 is not just another version of the old UI program. It is in fact Canada's employment insurance system for the 21st century. It supports the government's agenda for jobs and growth. It is a system that Canadians themselves have helped to define and shape for the future.

Employment Insurance Act  Mr. Speaker, I want to enter this debate and speak on part II. It is important to talk about part II because there has been a significant amount of contradiction by the opposition. The Bloc has been claiming on a number of fronts in the last weeks as we have debated this bill both in the House and in committee that it is a do nothing bill, that it is intended to reduce costs, that it does not create employment or that it is not intended to help create jobs.

Employment Insurance Act  Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. We have a member who is ready to speak. The Bloc just finished so I would assume it is our turn to start. Which motion is leading off?

Employment Insurance Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter the debate on Group No. 5. It is important to put these amendments in context. One of the problems we had in committee was with the opposition as it relates to amendments important for the improvement of the bill. One of the things we asked at the very beginning of the process was that if members of Parliament were serious about wanting to see improvements to the bill, that they were given ample opportunity not only in committee but in discussions individually with members and through the department to have their improvements put forward and vetted through the department.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, on a point of order. In group 3 there are three other amendments you did not ask for a recorded vote on, Motions Nos. 5, 6 and 200.

Employment Insurance Act  Mr. Speaker, in this debate we have heard a great many wild claims from the members of the Bloc Quebecois about the negative impacts of Bill C-12. Members of the Bloc have made no secret of the fact that they do not like the legislation. It is rather disappointing to see a party allow its ideologically driven aspirations for a separate Quebec completely override a fact driven interpretation of the bill.

Merit  Madam Speaker, I want to bring my colleague and the House back to the speech from the throne, a very important speech. I want to assure my colleagues from all provinces who are here in a dual capacity, not only representing their constituency but in some cases representing their province.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the debate on Bill C-12. I would like to make some comments at this stage on the changes proposed to the original bill and in particular to the costs associated with the changes. It is important to focus on the amendments which were made in committee.