Right Hon. John N. Turner (Leader of the Opposition):

Mr. Speaker, in approaching the Premiers, in discussing the question of post-secondary education, and in negotiating agreements with them next March, would the Prime Minister tell

Will the Minister enlighten this House and the youth of Canada on the areas of her responsibilities with respect to legislative procedure and programs, as well as the criteria for the allocation of grants? For example, will she comment on her

November 8, 1984

Oral Questions

input to the decision which cut direct job training for youth to a mere $27 million, as announced by her colleague, the Minister of Employment and Immigration?

[ Translation]

Hon. Andree Champagne (Minister of State (Youth)):

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank my hon. colleague for her words of congratulations. I think that in the coming months, she will be able to appreciate what I intend to accomplish in the Department for which the Right Hon. Prime Minister has made me responsible.

As for the Hon. Member's question about future legislation, I may remind her that, through no fault of my own, I am the third Minister in seven months to head this Department. With my departmental officials, we are first trying to clean house. We shall be consulting young people themselves, but not through studies of statistics and statistics on studies, of which we have had more than enough from my predecessors.

Hear, hear!

Mrs. Champagne:

As for the grant funding to which you referred, we will know after this evening. It is not for me to say now what amounts will be allocated for youth.

Finally, the Hon. Member referred to the announcement made by the Minister of Employment and Immigration. This is not my responsibility right now, even though we have conferred. This is a pilot project. I will be delighted to work along with her to develop new ones.

Hear, hear!

Mrs. Sheila Finestone (Mount Royal):

Mr. Speaker, I am very disappointed that, while cleaning house, she had to cut out one-third of the budget for our youth. However, the question was not related to the dollars in the grant. It was related to criteria. Perhaps we can come back to that.

In particular, I am concerned about an interview which the Minister had with Mr. Bernard Descoteaux of Le Devoir, in which she stated:

[ Translation]

She would like to suggest that people look at the 85 per cent who are doing well.

I am really concerned that young people in difficulty, les decrocheurs, have to turn elsewhere. Will young Canadians have to turn to these other 85 per cent, according to our Minister, for help, or will they get some help, those who are in need, those who are contemplating suicide, and those who have not done well, drop-outs, and students? Are they going to turn elsewhere or to you, Mrs. Minister?

Hon. Andree Champagne (Minister of State (Youth)):

Mr. Speaker, perhaps I may point out that at the time of the interview, 85 per cent of young Canadians were able to function normally, despite difficult economic conditions. I also said, if I am being quoted correctly, that of course we were going to take care of people in difficulty. I feel, however, that it is also up to young Canadians and I am thinking of those who are able to function with everybody's help to do their share. In this Government, Mr. Speaker, everyone will have to do his share, and that includes Canada's youth.

Hon. Edward Broadbent (Oshawa):

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Right Hon. Prime Minister.

During the election campaign, the Prime Minister promised that his Government would make changes in the Liberals' policies. More specifically, he promised Canadian women a number of policies on economic equality. He said that Canadian corporations seeking federal government contracts would have to provide affirmative action programs and equal pay for work of equal value. In the Throne Speech, the Government made a complete turnabout. Why?

Right Hon. Brian Mulroney (Prime Minister):

I think my hon. friend, the Leader of the New Democratic Party, is mistaken. In fact, there was a great deal in the Throne Speech about the status of women in Canada, including the particular issue he is raising. I can say that at this very moment, we have programs that are being quickly examined by Cabinet and my office so as not to delay implementation of the principle in question.

Hon. Edward Broadbent (Oshawa):

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is giving the House the same old answers that we used to hear from the Liberal Government when he sat on this side of the House. When the Prime Minister made the promise during the election campaign-

Oh, oh!

Mr. Broadbent:

Well, we don't want to bring back the other people who used to break their promises, to go back on that side. One is as bad as the other. They are a little sensitive, these guys to my right.

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. The Hon. Member for Oshawa on a supplementary question.

November 8, 1984

Mr. Broadbent:

Another 30 years in opposition will do you a lot of good, fellows.

Hear, hear!

Mr. Axworthy:

You should know, Ed.

Mr. Broadbent:

Just look at Nova Scotia.

The Prime Minister knows what is in the Throne Speech. He also knows that there is no commitment to implement these specific promises he made. He promised Canadian women concrete action, that as Prime Minister he would insist that all companies doing business with the Government have programs such as affirmative action, equal pay for work of equal value, in place. Why is he not now giving that to the people of Canada, the women, instead of studying it again for the future?