Ms. Carney:

They have agreed to send the key issue of hours of work to binding arbitration. All other issues have been

August 10, 1988

Oral Questions

settled. I hope that this will lead to an improved climate for labour-management negotiations in terms of the rest of the contracts.

I am sorry that members of the Opposition consider that this fine achievement is a laughing matter.

Hon. Pat Carney (President of the Treasury Board):

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to confirm that we have reached terms of settlement with the education group of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which of course includes the language teachers. I think at this time it would be appropriate to thank both negotiating teams, and Mr. Deans who, of course, serves as the Chairman of the Public Service Staff Relations Board. He negotiated for eight straight days to resolve this longstanding dispute.

Hon. Pat Carney (President of the Treasury Board):

Mr. Speaker, I do not think that our efforts to increase the employment of women, minority groups, the disabled, and natives are outrageous. They are without precedent in the history of any previous Government. We are the first ones to bring in a commitment to employment equity and we have delivered, as yesterday's report shows.

The Hon. Member should be aware that, of course, there may be a downsizing in this group as the Member suggests because we are devolving certain aspects of employment to the territorial Governments and to Indian bands, where nurses and teachers will be affected. That will be because their jobs are being devolved to other agencies. The Hon. Member should take that into account.

In terms of the other issues he raises, I suggest he both read the On Target report and the targets that we have set for the next three years. The Hon. Member should be aware that this Government has spent in excess of $30 million in order to ensure that special measures for employment equity are both in place and enforced.

Oral Questions ABORTION

Hon. Pat Carney (President of the Treasury Board):

Mr. Speaker, I am very disappointed that the Hon. Member has

July 15, 1988

not congratulated this Government for being the first one to accentuate employment equity and to set targets for the employment not only of women but also of the disabled, natives, and visible minority groups.

Yesterday we published a report called On Target which indicated that in the first three years of this very important program we increased the number of women in the scientific and professional groups. It is reflected in the report that the increase was from 5,305 in 1985 to 5,580 in 1988.1 think that should answer the Hon. Member's concern.

Hon. Pat Carney (President of the Treasury Board):

Mr. Speaker, the Hon. Member should be aware that I held a special reception in May in order to meet with union representatives and to get acquainted with them, because this is a year of tough negotiations. I explained at that time that I did not want to undercut the collective bargaining process that we have in place at this time.

I am quite willing to meet with the representatives at a time when my participation would be helpful, but considering the lack of progress at the bargaining table I do not see what point would be served at this time.