The Standing Committee's 3rd report considered the administration of grant and contribution programs in light of the internal audit at Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) announced in January 2000. This document contains the government response to the recommendations presented in the 3rd report. It addresses such matters as provision of information, transparency, public reporting, integrating financial expertise into programs, relationships with sponsors, and striking a balance between decentralization, flexibility and control.

This report presents the government response to 17 recommendations related to Employment Insurance (EI). The recommendations deal with: EI access and coverage; work-family balance; encouraging a return to work; labour force development; responsive, high-quality service; a sound approach to financing EI.

(a) Design and construction. (1) Each facility or part of a facility constructed by, on behalf of, or for the use of a public entity shall be designed and constructed in such manner that the facility or part of the facility is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, if the construction was commenced after January 26, 1992. (2) Exception for structural impracticability. (i) Full compliance with the requirements of this section is not required where a public entity can demonstrate that it is structurally impracticable to meet the requirements. Full compliance will be considered structurally impracticable only in those rare circumstances when the unique characteristics of terrain prevent the incorporation of accessibility features. (ii) If full compliance with this section would be structurally impracticable, compliance with this section is required to the extent that it is not structurally impracticable. In that case, any portion of the facility that can be made accessible shall be made accessible to the extent that it is not structurally impracticable. (iii) If providing accessibility in conformance with this section to individuals with certain disabilities (e.g., those who use wheelchairs) would be structurally impracticable, accessibility shall nonetheless be ensured to persons with other types of disabilities, (e.g., those who use crutches or who have sight, hearing, or mental impairments) in accordance with this section.