Debates of May 17, 2007 (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Human Resources and it’s with regard to the summer student employment. Mr. Speaker, since the Minister made a statement a few days ago about the status of the summer student situation and the questions I asked yesterday or the day before about the fact that there appears to be a lot less summer students being hired this year than in previous years, I have received more phone calls from parents who really feel that this government is reducing the number of student jobs available. The Minister is indicating that that is not the case. So I would have to surmise from that that there is a gap in communication going on. Would the Minister make a commitment to undertake with his Human Resources personnel again and put some emphasis and extra resources into it, and go through all the departments and see what jobs are available, go through the list of students who are still looking for jobs, because they are numerous, and make every effort possible to find a job for these students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Honourable Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 111-15(6): Summer Student Employment Opportunities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Subsequent to the Member’s first question on this issue, I met with the deputy and we have work started already to follow up with departments to find out what positions they are going to have and to find out whether or not there are going to be any fewer positions going to be offered this year compared to previous years.

As well, we have summer students who are employed in Human Resources actually phoning and contacting students this week, it started this week, to ensure that they are still looking for work and to find out if they have been contacted by departments. So we have started that work already, Mr. Speaker, and we will continue to do that.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 111-15(6): Summer Student Employment Opportunities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated in previous questions that the job recruitment process is ongoing and the time and the nature of summer student jobs vary and so students could get hired throughout the summer, but I think May is an important month and most students would want to be hired by the end of May. So could I ask the Minister to make a commitment to get back to us by the end of the month and give us a results report in that regard?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 111-15(6): Summer Student Employment Opportunities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be happy to update Members on a regular basis, not just one time at the end of the month. I will do it again in June and let Members know what has been happening with summer student employment. As the Member mentioned, one of the points I had made earlier is that there are varying lengths of jobs. A lot of departments look only for summer students to fill in for people who are on leave. So they look for summer students for an eight to 10-week period more than for the longer periods. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 111-15(6): Summer Student Employment Opportunities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think there is a need for the government to do more and do everything we can to create job opportunities for summer students while they are here. It enhances their work experience as well as giving them extra resources that they could use to go to school, which his very important. Could I ask the Minister to vamp it up a little bit and get more proactive and ask the departments to look for opportunities. If they have money in the budget to spend, if they could create jobs to make sure as many students are hired as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 111-15(6): Summer Student Employment Opportunities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, when I met with the deputy for Human Resources, I asked that she talk to the other deputies to encourage them to ensure that the departments were hiring summer students as much as possible. We will continue that work, Mr. Speaker.