Speech (House debate)

{
    "time": "2014-10-02 17:50:00",
    "attribution": {
        "en": "Mr. Scott Armstrong (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development, CPC)",
        "fr": "M. Scott Armstrong (secr\u00e9taire parlementaire du ministre de l'Emploi et du D\u00e9veloppement social, PCC)"
    },
    "content": {
        "en": "<p data-HoCid=\"3838299\" data-originallang=\"en\">Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this debate concerning Bill <a data-HoCid=\"6253470\" href=\"/bills/41-2/C-247/\" title=\"An Act to expand the mandate of Service Canada in respect of the death of a Canadian citizen or Canadian resident\">C-247</a>, presented by my hon. colleague, the member for <a data-HoCid=\"170547\" href=\"/politicians/frank-valeriote/\" title=\"Frank Valeriote\">Guelph</a>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838300\" data-originallang=\"en\">First let me say how much I appreciate the time and effort that the hon. member has put into drafting this bill. I would also like to thank the member for his willingness to collaborate with us on potential changes that we can work together on to continue to strengthen the proposed piece of legislation.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838301\" data-originallang=\"en\">Currently the bill is somewhat technical. It is a proposal that would make Service Canada the single point of contact in the Government of Canada for reporting the death of a Canadian citizen or a Canadian resident. Service Canada would then, in the words of the bill, have responsibility \u201c...in respect of all matters relating to the death\u201d of that person.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838302\" data-originallang=\"en\">At first glance, the proposal seems very straightforward. The intent of making things simpler for the relatives of a deceased person is a laudable goal and one we fully support. Cutting red tape for grieving families is something I believe all parties should get behind and support strongly.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838303\" data-originallang=\"en\">As we examine the bill as it is written, there are some costs and practical consequences that are not necessarily straightforward, and they will need to be considered during the committee hearings.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838304\" data-originallang=\"en\">Currently Bill <a data-HoCid=\"6253470\" href=\"/bills/41-2/C-247/\" title=\"An Act to expand the mandate of Service Canada in respect of the death of a Canadian citizen or Canadian resident\">C-247</a> would require any federal program that wants to be notified of a death to become the authorized user of the social insurance number, since the number would be required to ensure the complete and accurate matching of client information. Without this number, errors and incorrect stoppage of benefits or services could occur, and we all want to avoid that.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838305\" data-originallang=\"en\">Although the bill's intent is to enable citizens and residents to communicate only with Service Canada to resolve any outstanding issues related to a death, it would also expand the mandate of Service Canada to include the responsibility of notifying a host of other departments and other programs. This would happen as soon as the estate of the deceased person informed Service Canada of the death.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838306\" data-originallang=\"en\">Since the social insurance number is an important piece of information linked to an individual's identity, expanding the process to include other programs that do not currently have the authority to collect and receive information linked to the social insurance number is something that we need to resolve and give careful consideration to before making any changes in that area.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838307\" data-originallang=\"en\">As well, to implement the bill as proposed, processes would need to be established to ensure that we are receiving the information from the right person: the representative of the estate. This would require verifying both the person's identity and their authority to represent the estate of the deceased. The individual would need to bring the proper identification and documentation. This would create a cumbersome process for individuals dealing with the death of a loved one. We want to avoid that at all costs.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838308\" data-originallang=\"en\">We think it is best if we work to improve the system that is currently in place.This would ensure that the privacy of Canadians would be protected while providing a streamlined approach for death notification. That is why we intend to introduce friendly amendments to the bill in committee to address the problems I mentioned and to make this a stronger piece of legislation. The amendments we are proposing would ensure that key Government of Canada programs that require death information are authorized to use the social insurance number.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838309\" data-originallang=\"en\">We also have some concerns that a hard deadline might drive up costs and at times would not be realistic, but to ensure that the progress is tracked, we will be proposing that annual reporting to Parliament be included as part of this bill. In addition, we are advancing an incremental approach to improve notification of death services in a client-focused procedure.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838310\" data-originallang=\"en\">The bill has shown that Service Canada has a long way to go in communicating with Canadians on the processes that are currently in place. I will not go into detail on the current processes, as they were discussed during the first hour of debate, but I can say that in the short term we will be improving communications and developing a strategy to give Canadians easier access to the relevant information they need when a death of a loved one takes place.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838311\" data-originallang=\"en\">Service Canada will update its website and clarify the messaging regarding the steps to follow in the event of the death of a Canadian resident or Canadian citizen. This will include listing the federal programs and departments currently informed of the passing of an individual and what steps should be taken, including informing other programs and other departments. Examples would be the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for fishing licences and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development for Indian status cards.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838312\" data-originallang=\"en\">At the same time, Service Canada will work with key stakeholders, including the Funeral Service Association of Canada, to explore ways that the estate or survivors can be better informed.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838313\" data-originallang=\"en\">The department will develop an outreach strategy to tell survivors which federal programs and departments are automatically informed and which ones they need to inform. The department will set out what benefits survivors may be eligible for and for which ones they may need to apply.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838314\" data-originallang=\"en\">Over the longer term, we intend to work with programs and departments to gradually eliminate the need for separate notification procedures and to continue working to develop a government-wide approach that will be more efficient and eliminate any duplication.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838315\" data-originallang=\"en\">We are committed to the highest level of and efficiency in service delivery. The government is constantly looking for ways to improve service delivery and making the best use of taxpayer dollars.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838316\" data-originallang=\"en\">I am pleased that my colleague across the way who brought the bill forward is open to constructive amendments. We are going to work together constructively and collaboratively to deliver the best legislation on behalf of all Canadians.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838317\" data-originallang=\"en\">I hope my colleagues will find these amendments to be acceptable and join us in voting in favour of the bill at second reading.</p>",
        "fr": "<p data-HoCid=\"3838299\" data-originallang=\"en\">Monsieur le Pr\u00e9sident, je suis heureux de pouvoir participer au d\u00e9bat sur le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"6253470\" href=\"/bills/41-2/C-247/\" title=\"An Act to expand the mandate of Service Canada in respect of the death of a Canadian citizen or Canadian resident\">C-247</a>, pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 par mon coll\u00e8gue, le d\u00e9put\u00e9 de <a data-HoCid=\"170547\" href=\"/politicians/frank-valeriote/\" title=\"Frank Valeriote\">Guelph</a>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838300\" data-originallang=\"en\">Tout d'abord, je tiens \u00e0 dire que j'appr\u00e9cie le temps et l'\u00e9nergie que le d\u00e9put\u00e9 a consacr\u00e9s \u00e0 l'\u00e9laboration de ce projet de loi. J'aimerais \u00e9galement le remercier d'accepter de collaborer avec nous sur des modifications possibles dont nous pourrions convenir pour am\u00e9liorer encore plus la mesure l\u00e9gislative propos\u00e9e.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838301\" data-originallang=\"en\">\u00c0 l'heure actuelle, le projet de loi est assez technique. Il propose de faire de Service Canada l'unique point de contact avec le gouvernement du Canada lorsqu'il s'agit de d\u00e9clarer le d\u00e9c\u00e8s d'un citoyen ou d'un r\u00e9sident canadien. De l\u00e0, Service Canada serait responsable, selon le libell\u00e9 du projet de loi \u00ab ... de toutes les questions li\u00e9es au d\u00e9c\u00e8s \u00bb de cette personne.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838302\" data-originallang=\"en\">\u00c0 premi\u00e8re vue, la proposition semble tr\u00e8s simple. L'id\u00e9e de faciliter les choses aux proches d'un d\u00e9funt est louable et nous devrions l'appuyer. R\u00e9duire les tracasseries administratives pour les familles endeuill\u00e9es est un but que tous les partis, \u00e0 mon avis, devraient d\u00e9fendre et appuyer fortement.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838303\" data-originallang=\"en\">\u00c0 la lecture du projet de loi, on constate que certains co\u00fbts et cons\u00e9quences pratiques ne sont pas n\u00e9cessairement simples et ils devront \u00eatre \u00e9tudi\u00e9s lors des audiences du comit\u00e9.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838304\" data-originallang=\"en\">Dans sa forme actuelle, le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"6253470\" href=\"/bills/41-2/C-247/\" title=\"An Act to expand the mandate of Service Canada in respect of the death of a Canadian citizen or Canadian resident\">C-247</a> oblige les programmes f\u00e9d\u00e9raux souhaitant \u00eatre avis\u00e9s en cas de d\u00e9c\u00e8s de faire partie des utilisateurs autoris\u00e9s du num\u00e9ro d'assurance sociale, parce que ce num\u00e9ro est n\u00e9cessaire pour garantir un couplage exact et complet des renseignements sur le client. Sans ce num\u00e9ro, des erreurs et des interruptions erron\u00e9es de prestations ou de services pourraient se produire, ce que nous voulons tous \u00e9viter.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838305\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bien que son intention soit de permettre aux citoyens et aux r\u00e9sidents de communiquer seulement avec Service Canada en cas de probl\u00e8mes entourant un d\u00e9c\u00e8s, le projet de loi \u00e9tend \u00e9galement le mandat de Service Canada pour y inclure la responsabilit\u00e9 de communiquer avec d'autres minist\u00e8res ou programmes aussit\u00f4t que la succession d'un d\u00e9funt l'avise du d\u00e9c\u00e8s.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838306\" data-originallang=\"en\">\u00c9tant donn\u00e9 que le num\u00e9ro d'assurance sociale est un renseignement important concernant l'identit\u00e9 d'une personne, le processus par lequel on autorisera des programmes \u00e0 recueillir et recevoir des renseignements associ\u00e9s \u00e0 ce num\u00e9ro doit \u00eatre examin\u00e9 attentivement avant qu'on y apporte quel que changement que ce soit.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838307\" data-originallang=\"en\">Par ailleurs, pour mettre en oeuvre le projet de loi tel quel, des processus devraient \u00eatre \u00e9tablis afin de garantir que nous recevons les renseignements de la bonne personne, soit le repr\u00e9sentant de la succession. Pour ce faire, il faudrait v\u00e9rifier l'identit\u00e9 de cette personne et le fait qu'elle a bel et bien le pouvoir de repr\u00e9senter la succession du d\u00e9funt, au moyen de pi\u00e8ces d'identit\u00e9 et de documents appropri\u00e9s. Voil\u00e0 qui cr\u00e9erait un processus lourd pour les personnes qui composent avec la mort d'un \u00eatre cher, ce que nous voulons \u00e9viter \u00e0 tout prix.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838308\" data-originallang=\"en\">Nous estimons qu'il serait pr\u00e9f\u00e9rable de t\u00e2cher d'am\u00e9liorer le syst\u00e8me existant, parce que cela assurerait la protection des renseignements personnels des Canadiens, tout en simplifiant le processus entourant l'avis de d\u00e9c\u00e8s. C'est pourquoi nous avons l'intention de pr\u00e9senter au comit\u00e9 des amendements visant \u00e0 r\u00e9gler les probl\u00e8mes que j'ai mentionn\u00e9s et \u00e0 rendre le projet de loi plus solide. Les amendements que nous proposerons garantiraient que les principaux programmes f\u00e9d\u00e9raux \u00e0 qui l'avis de d\u00e9c\u00e8s doit parvenir soient autoris\u00e9s \u00e0 utiliser le num\u00e9ro d'assurance sociale.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838309\" data-originallang=\"en\">Nous avons aussi quelques r\u00e9serves: un d\u00e9lai ferme pourrait entra\u00eener une hausse des co\u00fbts et se r\u00e9v\u00e9ler parfois irr\u00e9aliste. Pour assurer un suivi des progr\u00e8s, nous proposons qu'un rapport annuel au Parlement soit pr\u00e9vu dans le projet de loi. De plus, nous pr\u00f4nons une approche progressive pour l'am\u00e9lioration de services entourant les avis de d\u00e9c\u00e8s ax\u00e9s sur le client.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838310\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le projet de loi a permis de constater \u00e0 quel point Service Canada a encore beaucoup de travail \u00e0 faire pour ce qui est de communiquer aux Canadiens des renseignements sur les processus actuellement en place. Je ne m'\u00e9tendrai pas sur les processus actuels, car on en a beaucoup parl\u00e9 pendant la premi\u00e8re heure du d\u00e9bat, mais je puis dire que, \u00e0 court terme, nous nous emploierons \u00e0 am\u00e9liorer les communications et \u00e0 \u00e9laborer une strat\u00e9gie pour aider les Canadiens \u00e0 acc\u00e9der \u00e0 l'information dont ils ont besoin lors du d\u00e9c\u00e8s d'un proche.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838311\" data-originallang=\"en\">Service Canada mettra son site Web \u00e0 jour et clarifiera les messages concernant les \u00e9tapes \u00e0 suivre lors du d\u00e9c\u00e8s d'un r\u00e9sident ou d'un citoyen canadien. On fournira notamment une liste des responsables des programmes et des minist\u00e8res f\u00e9d\u00e9raux qui sont actuellement inform\u00e9s du d\u00e9c\u00e8s de la personne, et des renseignements sur les \u00e9tapes \u00e0 suivre, notamment lorsqu'il faut informer les responsables d'autres programmes et minist\u00e8res. Par exemple, il faudrait informer le minist\u00e8re des P\u00eaches et des Oc\u00e9ans dans le cas des permis de p\u00eache, et le minist\u00e8re des Affaires autochtones et du D\u00e9veloppement du Nord canadien pour ce qui est des certificats de statut d'Indien.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838312\" data-originallang=\"en\">Par ailleurs, Service Canada travaillera avec des intervenants cl\u00e9s, y compris l'Association des services fun\u00e9raires du Canada, afin de d\u00e9terminer des fa\u00e7ons de mieux informer la succession ou les survivants.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838313\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le minist\u00e8re \u00e9laborera une strat\u00e9gie de communication pour indiquer au survivant quels sont les responsables des programmes et des minist\u00e8res qui sont automatiquement inform\u00e9s, et quels sont ceux qui doivent \u00eatre inform\u00e9s par le survivant. Le minist\u00e8re d\u00e9terminera quelles sont les prestations auxquelles le survivant pourrait avoir droit, et quelles sont celles pour lesquelles le survivant devrait soumettre une demande.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838314\" data-originallang=\"en\">\u00c0 long terme, nous pr\u00e9voyons travailler avec les responsables des programmes et des minist\u00e8res afin d'\u00e9liminer graduellement le recours \u00e0 des processus d'avis s\u00e9par\u00e9s, et continuer d'\u00e9laborer une approche pangouvernementale qui sera plus efficace et qui \u00e9vitera tout d\u00e9doublement.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838315\" data-originallang=\"en\">Nous sommes d\u00e9termin\u00e9s \u00e0 offrir les meilleurs services possibles, le plus efficacement possible. Le gouvernement cherche constamment des fa\u00e7ons d'am\u00e9liorer la prestation des services et d'utiliser le mieux possible l'argent des contribuables.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838316\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je suis ravi que mon coll\u00e8gue d'en face, qui parraine le projet de loi, soit ouvert \u00e0 des amendements constructifs. Nous collaborerons de mani\u00e8re constructive afin de proposer le meilleur projet de loi possible pour tous les Canadiens.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"3838317\" data-originallang=\"en\">J'esp\u00e8re que mes coll\u00e8gues trouveront ces amendements acceptables et se joindront \u00e0 nous pour voter en faveur du projet de loi \u00e0 l'\u00e9tape de la deuxi\u00e8me lecture.</p>"
    },
    "url": "/debates/2014/10/2/scott-armstrong-1/",
    "politician_url": "/politicians/scott-armstrong/",
    "politician_membership_url": "/politicians/memberships/3700/",
    "procedural": false,
    "source_id": "8458780",
    "h1": {
        "en": "Private Members' Business",
        "fr": "Initiatives Parlementaires"
    },
    "h2": {
        "en": "Service Canada Mandate Expansion Act",
        "fr": "Loi \u00e9largissant le mandat de Service Canada"
    },
    "document_url": "/debates/2014/10/2/",
    "related": {
        "document_speeches_url": "/speeches/?document=%2Fdebates%2F2014%2F10%2F2%2F"
    }
}