Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions. The first is from Canadians of all ages who are very concerned about the proposed changes to the old age security program. They regard it as a direct attack on the poorest seniors of the present and the future. They are calling on the government to rescind any idea in terms of increasing the age for pensions for Canadians from 65 to 67.
New Democrats announced today that they will take the study of the sweeping Conservative budget implementation bill to the public, holding a series of hearings in Ottawa and across the country. MP Irene Mathyssen will be hosting a hearing for her constituents in London:
- Tuesday May 22nd
- 6:30pm-8:00pm
- Community Meeting Room
- Constituency Office of Irene Mathyssen
- 1700-D Dundas St.
Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP)
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-422, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (elimination of waiting period)
Mr. Speaker, this is a private member's bill that amends the Employment Insurance Act to eliminate that two-week waiting period.
Attachments
Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP): Madam Speaker, I am happy to have this chance to speak in the House today about this Trojan Horse budget. I was concerned that all discussion would be shut down by the government because, unfortunately, this is a budget that includes many separate bills that have very little to do with fiscal management.
Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, hiding changes in the budget to avoid accountability is simply wrong. Another hidden change: cutting employment insurance and gutting the appeals tribunal. Instead of separate tribunals with dedicated staff, we now have one big tribunal with a fraction of the staff. Asking 70 staff to review over 30,000 appeals is not going to make the system efficient. It will grind it to a halt and the government knows it.
