MP Holder questions Minister

Audio available shortly via MP3 file

 OTTAWA -  Member of Parliament Ed Holder rose in the House of Commons today during Question Period to ask Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley about the federal government’s support for unemployed Canadians.

“Last night, I got a very compelling letter from a constituent named Christina and this morning I had a chance to speak with her directly.  In her letter, she raised a number of valid issues and I know she is not alone.  So, today I asked the Minister directly what she is doing so that Christina and others in her situation would know that the federal government is doing what it can to support those who find their families adversely affected by unemployment,” said Ed Holder.

The exchange, which will be available in audio later today at www.edholder.ca, was reported in Hansard as follows:

Mr. Ed Holder (London West, CPC): Mr. Speaker, yesterday one of my constituents, Christina, wrote to me because her husband has just been laid off. We know that those who are unemployed are losing faith. Unemployed Canadians are worried about their ability to put food on their tables, to keep their homes and provide for their families.

Would the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development inform Canadians and assure families like Christina's who are experiencing unemployment what our government is doing on behalf of them in these very difficult times?

Hon. Diane Finley (Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, CPC): Mr. Speaker, we do understand the hardships that people who are being laid off are facing. That is why we are proposing, in our economic action plan, to help over 400,000 people benefit from an additional five weeks of EI benefits. It will help 160,000 people, including long-tenured and older workers, to get trained up so that they can continue to work, to provide food for their families. That is why we will be creating tens of thousands of jobs while we are renovating and building logement for social housing for the most vulnerable.

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