The House resumed consideration at report stage and second reading of Bill C–12, An Act respecting employment insurance in Canada, as reported by the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development with amendments;

And of the motions in Group No. 4 (Motions Nos.7 and 8).

Group No. 4

Motion No. 7 of Mr. Axworthy (Saskatoon–Clark’s Crossing), seconded by Mrs. Lalonde (Mercier), — That Bill C–12 be amended by deleting Clause 3.

Motion No. 8 of Mrs. Lalonde (Mercier), seconded by Mr. Dubé (Lévis), — That Bill C–12, in Clause 3, be amended by replacing lines 9 to 39, on page 4, and lines 1 to 4, on page 5, with the following:

“7.

Subsection 26(8) of the Unemployment Insurance Act is repealed.”

The debate continued on the motions in Group No. 4.

The question was put on Motion No. 8 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

Group No. 5

Mr. Axworthy (Saskatoon–Clark’s Crossing), seconded by Mr. Crête (Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup), moved Motion No. 10, — That Bill C–12 be amended by deleting Clause 5.

Mrs. Lalonde (Mercier), seconded by Mr. Dubé (Lévis), moved Motion No. 10A, — That Bill C–12, in Clause 5, be amended by replacing lines 15 and 39, on page 5, lines 1 to 46, on page 6, lines 1 to 44, on page 7, and on lines 1 to 27, on page 8, with the following:

“9.

The Unemployment Insurance Act is amended by deleting subsections 28(1), 28(2), 28(3) and 28(4).”

Debate arose on the motions in Group 5.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

Pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House proceeded to Oral Questions.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. DeVillers (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs) laid upon the Table, — Government responses, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), to the following petitions:

1. No. 351-4100 concerning sexual assault. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-60;
2. Nos. 351-4106, 351-4146, 351-4147, 351-4160, 351-4161, 351-4162, 351-4163, 351-4164, 351-4165, 351-4166, 351-4167, 351-4168, 351-4169, 351-4171, 351-4173, 351-4174, 351-4175 to 351-4177, 351-4178, 351-4179, 351-4180 to 351-4182, 351-4183, 351-4184, 351-4185, 351-4186, 351-4187, 351-4188, 351-4189 to 351-4196, 351-4197 to 351-4204, 351-4205 to 351-4207, 351-4208, 351-4209, 351-4210 to 351-4217, 351-4218, 351-4219, 351-4220, 351-4221, 351-4222, 351-4223, 351-4224 to 351-4229, 351-4230, 351-4231, 351-4232 to 351-4235, 351-4236, 351-4237, 351-4238, 351-4239, 351-4240, 351-4241, 351-4242, 351-4243, 351-4244 and 351-4246 concerning the Criminal Code of Canada. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-352-15E.

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Mr. DeVillers (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs) for Mr. Dion (President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs) laid upon the Table, — Report of the Transportation Safety Board, for the year 1995, pursuant to the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act, S. C. 1989, c. 3, sbs. 13(3). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-352-499. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Transport)

Mr. Boudria (Glengarry–Prescott–Russell), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 16th Report of the Committee, which was as follows:

The Committee recommends, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, the following changes in the membership of the Standing Committee:

The Committee also recommends, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, that the following Member be added to the list of Associate Members of the Standing Committee:

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence (Issue No. 1, which includes this Report) was tabled.

By unanimous consent, Mr. Boudria (Glengarry–Prescott–Russell), seconded byMr. Robichaud (Beauséjour), moved, — That the 16th Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented earlier today, be concurred in.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, petitions certified correct by the Clerk of Petitions were presented as follows:

• by Mr. Ringma (Nanaimo–Cowichan), one concerning the income tax system (No. 352-0430);
• by Mrs. Gaffney (Nepean), one concerning certain diseases (No. 352-0431).

The House resumed consideration at report stage and second reading of Bill C–12, An Act respecting employment insurance in Canada, as reported by the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development with amendments;

And of the motions in Group No. 5 (Motions Nos.10 and 10A).

The debate continued on the motions in Group No. 5.

The question was put on Motion No. 10A and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

Group No. 6

Mr. Axworthy (Saskatoon–Clark’s Crossing), seconded by Mrs. Lalonde (Mercier),moved Motion No. 17, — That Bill C–12 be amended by deleting Clause 12.

Mrs. Brown (Calgary Southeast), seconded by Ms. Meredith (Surrey–White Rock–South Langley), moved Motion No. 18 — That Bill C–12, in Clause 12, be amended by

1. replacing lines 10 to 18, on page 20, with the following:

   “(3) The maximum number of weeks for which benefits may be paid in a benefit period is 15
   
   (a) because of pregnancy;
   
   (b because the claimant is caring for one or more new-born children of the claimant or one or more children placed with the claimant for the purpose of adoption; and”;

2. replacing lines 21 to 33 on page 20, with the following:

   “(4) The maximum number of weeks for which benefits may be paid for a single pregnancy or for the care of one or more new-born or adopted children as a result of a single pregnancy or placement is 15.
   
   (5) In a claimant’s benefit period, the”;

3. replacing line 39, on page 20, with the following:

   “(a) to more than 15 weeks of benefits, the”;

4. replacing line 5, on page 21, with the following:

   “up to 15 or fewer weeks of benefits, the”; and

5. replacing lines 12 to 26, on page 21, with the following:

   “ceed 30.
   
   (6) For the purposes of this section, the”.

Mr. Axworthy (Saskatoon–Clark’s Crossing), seconded by Mrs. Lalonde (Mercier), moved Motion No. 20, — That Bill C–12 be amended by deleting Clause 14.

Mr. Young (Minister of Human Resources Development), seconded by Mr. Manley (Minister of Industry, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister of Western Economic Diversification), moved Motion No. 21, — That Bill C–12, in Clause 14 be amended by replacing lines 10 to 26 on page 22 with the following:

 

 

“tion period divided by the larger of the following divisors:

(a)

the divisor that equals the number of weeks during the rate calculation period in which the claimant had insurable eamings, and

(b)

the divisor determined in accordance with the following table by reference to the applicable regional rate of unemployment:

TABLE

Regional Rate of Unemployment	Divisor
not more than 6%	22
more than 6% but not more than 7%	21
more than 7% but not more than 8%	20
more than 8% but not more than 9%	19
more than 9% but not more than 10%	18
more than 10% but not more than 11%	17
more than 11% but not more than 12%	16
more than 12% but not more than 13%	15
more than 13%	14”.

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 76(3))

His Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in the amendment to Clause 14 of Bill C–12, An Act respecting employment insurance in Canada, by replacing lines 10 to 26 on page 22 with the following:

 

 

“tion period divided by the larger of the following divisors:

(a)

the divisor that equals the number of weeks during the rate calculation period in which the claimant had insurable eamings, and

(b)

the divisor determined in accordance with the following table by reference to the applicable regional rate of unemployment:

TABLE

Regional Rate of Unemployment	Divisor
not more than 6%	22
more than 6% but not more than 7%	21
more than 7% but not more than 8%	20
more than 8% but not more than 9%	19
more than 9% but not more than 10%	18
more than 10% but not more than 11%	17
more than 11% but not more than 12%	16
more than 12% but not more than 13%	15
more than 13%	14”.

Mr. Young (Minister of Human Resources Development), seconded by Mr. Manley (Minister of Industry, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister of Western Economic Diversification), moved Motion No. 22, — That Bill C–12, in Clause 14, be amended

1. by replacing lines 2 to 6 on page 23 with the following:

    

   “of not more than 26 consecutive weeks in the claimant’s qualifying period ending with the later of

   (a)

   the week

   (i)

   before the claimant’s benefit period begins, if it begins on the Sunday of the week in which the claimant’s last interruption of earnings occurs, or

   (ii)

   in which the claimant’s last interruption of earnings occurs, if their benefit period begins on the Sunday of a week that is after the week in which the claimant’s last interruption of earnings occurs, and”;

2. by adding after line 10 on page 23, the following:

   “A prescribed week relating to employment in the labour force shall not be taken into account when determining what weeks are within the rate calculation period.
   
   (4.1) The rate calculation period is 26 weeks, unless the claimant’s qualifying period begins on a Sunday that is less than 26 weeks before the Sunday of the week in which the rate calculation period ends under subsection (4), in which case it is the number of weeks between those Sundays.”

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 76(3))

His Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in the amendment to Clause 14 of Bill C–12, An Act respecting employment insurance in Canada:

1. by replacing lines 1 to 6 on page 23 with the following:

    

   “of not more than 26 consecutive weeks in the claimant’s qualifying period ending with the later of

   (a)

   the week

   (i)

   before the claimant’s benefit period begins, if it begins on the Sunday of the week in which the claimant’s last interruption of earnings occurs, or

   (ii)

   in which the claimant’s last interruption of earnings occurs, if their benefit period begins on the Sunday of a week that is after the week in which the claimant’s last interruption of earnings occurs, and”;

2. by adding after line 10 on page 23, the following:

   “A prescribed week relating to employment in the labour force shall not be taken into account when determining what weeks are within the rate calculation period.
   
   (4.1) The rate calculation period is 26 weeks, unless the claimant’s qualifying period begins on a Sunday that is less than 26 weeks before the Sunday of the week in which the rate calculation period ends under subsection (4), in which case it is the number of weeks between those Sundays.”

Mr. Easter (Malpeque), seconded by Mr. Culbert (Carleton–Charlotte), moved Motion No. 23, — That Bill C–12, in Clause 14, be amended by deleting lines 11 to 45, on page 23, and lines 1 to 13, on page 24.

Mr. Axworthy (Saskatoon–Clark’s Crossing), seconded by Mrs. Lalonde (Mercier), moved Motion No. 24, — That Bill C–12 be amended by deleting Clause 15.

Mr. Young (Minister of Human Resources Development), seconded by Mr. Manley (Minister of Industry, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister of Western Economic Diversification), moved Motion No. 25, — That Bill C–12, in Clause 15, be amended by adding after line 27, on page 24, the following:

 

“(1.1)

No reduction shall be made under subsection (1) if the claimant is entitled to a family supplement under section 16.”

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 76(3))

His Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in the amendment to Clause 15 of Bill C–12, An Act respecting employment insurance in Canada, by adding after line 27, on page 24, the following:

 

“(1.1)

No reduction shall be made under subsection (1) if the claimant is entitled to a family supplement under section 16.”

Mr. Axworthy (Saskatoon–Clark’s Crossing), seconded by Mrs. Lalonde (Mercier), moved Motion No. 35, — That Bill C–12 be amended by deleting Clause 25.

Mr. Young (Minister of Human Resources Development), seconded by Mr. Manley (Minister of Industry, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister of Western Economic Diversification), moved Motion No. 36, — That Bill C–12, in Clause 25, be amended by replacing lines 15 to 21 on page 31 with the following:

“(b) participating in any other employment activity

(i) for which assistance has been provided for the claimant under prescribed employment benefits or benefits that are the subject of an agreement under section 63 and are similar to the prescribed employment benefits; and

(ii) to which the Commission, or an authority that the Commission designates, has referred the claimant.”

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 76(3))

His Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in the amendment to Clause 25 of Bill C–12, An Act respecting employment insurance in Canada, by replacing lines 15 to 21 on page 31 with the following:

“(b) participating in any other employment activity

(i) for which assistance has been provided for the claimant under prescribed employment benefits or benefits that are the subject of an agreement under section 63 and are similar to the prescribed employment benefits; and

(ii) to which the Commission, or an authority that the Commission designates, has referred the claimant.”

Mr. Axworthy (Saskatoon–Clark’s Crossing), seconded by Mrs. Lalonde (Mercier), moved Motion No. 72, — That Bill C–12 be amended by deleting Clause 61.

Mrs. Brown (Calgary Southeast), seconded by Ms. Meredith (Surrey–White Rock–South Langley), moved Motion No. 73 — That Bill C–12, in Clause 61, be amended by replacing lines 32 to 36, on page 59, with the following:

 

“(2)

The Commission shall not provide any financial assistance in a province in support of employment benefits mentioned in paragraph 59(e) or support measures under this Part without the agreement of the government of the province.”

Mrs. Brown (Calgary Southeast), seconded by Ms. Meredith (Surrey–White Rock–South Langley), moved Motion No. 171 — That Bill C–12 be amended by adding after line 34, on page 125, the following new Clause:

“152.1.

(1)

The Governor in Council may, by order, amend the maximum number of weeks for which benefits may be paid in a benefit period under subsection 12(3).

(2)

The maximum number of weeks for which benefits may be paid shall be the same in the case of pregnancy as in a case where the claimant is caring for one or more new-born children of the claimant or one or more children placed with the claimant for the purpose of adoption.”

Mr. Young (Minister of Human Resources Development), seconded by Mr. Manley (Minister of Industry, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister of Western Economic Diversification), moved Motion No. 173, — That Bill C–12 be amended by adding after line 16, on page 127, the following new Clause:

“PART VIII.1
SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR NEW ENTRANTS AND RE–ENTRANTS TO THE LABOUR FORCE

“153.1.

(1)

Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the Commission shall, with the approval of the Governor in Council, make such regulations as it deems necessary respecting the establishment and operation of a scheme to ensure that special benefits are provided to persons who are new entrants or re- entrants to the labour force within the meaning of subsection 7(4), including regulations

(a)

for establishing requirements to qualify to receive the benefits, the duration of entitlement to the benefits, benefit rates, disentitlement and disqualification from receiving the benefits and benefit repayment requirements; and

(b)

varying the application of any other provision of this Act in relation to persons who have made claims under this Part and who subsequently make claims under Part I or VIII.

(2)

The scheme established by the regulations may, with respect to any matter, be different from the provisions of this Act relating to that matter.

(3)

The scheme established by the regulations may not provide special benefits to persons who

(a)

have less than 700 hours of insurable employment in their qualifying period; or

(b)

are subject to an increase under section 7.1 in the number of hours of insurable employment required to qualify for benefits.”

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 76(3))

His Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in the new Clause 153.1 of Bill C–12, An Act respecting employment insurance in Canada, by adding after line 16, on page 127, the following new Clause:

“PART VIII.1
SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR NEW ENTRANTS AND RE–ENTRANTS TO THE LABOUR FORCE

“153.1.

(1)

Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the Commission shall, with the approval of the Governor in Council, make such regulations as it deems necessary respecting the establishment and operation of a scheme to ensure that special benefits are provided to persons who are new entrants or re- entrants to the labour force within the meaning of subsection 7(4), including regulations

(a)

for establishing requirements to qualify to receive the benefits, the duration of entitlement to the benefits, benefit rates, disentitlement and disqualification from receiving the benefits and benefit repayment requirements; and

(b)

varying the application of any other provision of this Act in relation to persons who have made claims under this Part and who subsequently make claims under Part I or VIII.

(2)

The scheme established by the regulations may, with respect to any matter, be different from the provisions of this Act relating to that matter.

(3)

The scheme established by the regulations may not provide special benefits to persons who

(a)

have less than 700 hours of insurable employment in their qualifying period; or

(b)

are subject to an increase under section 7.1 in the number of hours of insurable employment required to qualify for benefits.”

Mrs. Brown (Calgary Southeast), seconded by Ms. Meredith (Surrey–White Rock–South Langley), moved Motion No. 189 — That Bill C–12 be amended by adding after line 25, on page 131, the following new Clause:

“167.1.

Notwithstanding any section of this Act, the Governor in Council shall, motion no later than January 1, 1998, amend, by order, those provisions of this Act that, in its opinion, require amendment in order to eliminate the concept of "number of hours of insurable employment" and to replace it with the concept of “number of weeks of insurable employment”.

Debate arose on the motions in Group 6.

The question was put on Motion No. 18 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 20 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 25 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 36 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 73 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 171 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 173 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

The question was put on Motion No. 189 and, pursuant to Standing Order 76(8), the recorded division was deferred.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), a paper deposited with the Clerk of the House was laid upon the Table as follows:

At 2:28 p.m., the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).