Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, we are focused on creating jobs. Since July 2009, this government has put forward a plan, a plan that is working and that has created over 600,000 new jobs, any per cent of which are full-time jobs. We are working toward ensuring more Canadians are employed. Whether it is through the new hiring tax credit, the work share agreements, extending EI pilot projects to ensure there are relationships between employers and employees and ensuring employees are attached to the labour market, we have a plan and it is working.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the member raises a good point about how well we are doing compared to our international competitors. Canada has the lowest debt to GDP ratio in the entire G7. The prestigious magazine, The Economist, has named Canada the best place to invest and do business in the next five years.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, this government has promoted the safe and appropriate use of chrysotile products.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, it is important to put these numbers into context. Youth unemployment in Canada is 14%, and we do need to focus on that, but it is 21% in the EU, 18.1% in the U.S., 23.4% in France and 46.2% in Spain. In 2010-11, the youth employment strategy helped 57,000 youth get job skills and work experience so that they could be successful in entering the labour market.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak on this motion presented by the hon. member for Parkdale—High Park. I can understand the member's concern about the economy and its effects on the lives of Canadians. Our government has been clear that our priority is job creation. I can assure the member that our government remains focused on our low-tax plan to create jobs and economic growth.

Service Canada  Mr. Speaker, there will be no Service Canada offices closing and no impact on in-person services offered. Canadians gave our government a strong mandate to complete Canada's economic recovery, create jobs, and return to balanced budgets. Improving the way we deliver EI services to Canadians by modernizing the way we accomplish this is one of our goals.

House debate  Madam Speaker, Canadians gave us a clear, strong mandate. They want us to respect the money they make and the money we receive in taxes, and they want us to spend it very wisely. The best way to fight poverty is to get Canadians working. Our government is doing just that. We have created 600,000 new jobs since July 2009.

House debate  Madam Speaker, I am pleased that the hon. member for Nanaimo—Cowichan has given me this opportunity to explain the progress our government has made. While Canada is emerging from one of the most fragile economic times we have seen since the Great Depression, Canada's economic recovery is leading the G7 countries.

Government Grants  Mr. Speaker, no government has done more for Canadians with disabilities than our Conservative government. Their full participation in our economy and communities is vital to our country's success. Supporting Canadians of all abilities through the economic action plan helped create opportunities for people who otherwise would not have had them.

Service Canada  Mr. Speaker, Canadians gave our government a strong mandate to complete Canada's economic recovery and return to balanced budgets. Improving the way we deliver EI services to Canadians by modernizing is one way in which we will accomplish that goal. There are no Service Canada offices closing and no impact on in-person services offered.

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation  Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to express my support for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, a cause that is very important to me personally. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among Canadian women, and many of us have been touched by this devastating disease.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada remains active in addressing elder abuse through the new horizons for seniors program which helps older Canadians use their leadership skills and energy to benefit communities across Canada. Budget 2010 proposed over $10 million over two years to increase funding to the new horizons program for seniors.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, I am here today to outline all the actions the Government of Canada has taken to combat elder abuse. I appreciate the question by the hon. member for London—Fanshawe as it has provided me with an opportunity to raise awareness of this serious issue. Members of the House surely know that elder abuse takes many different forms, among them financial exploitation, physical and mental abuse, and neglect.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned before, we are very much focused on this subject. We introduced the working income tax benefit in 2007 to help ensure that more low income families are financially better off as a result of getting a job. In budget 2009, the tax benefit was enhanced by $580 million, effectively doubling the initial investment to provide further support to working families and to other Canadians.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Nanaimo—Cowichan for raising the issue of children and poverty in Canada. From the outset, I will say that I am as committed as anyone in the House to seeing a decrease in child poverty in Canada and I am confident that we are on the right path toward a steady decline in child poverty.