Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Liberals tackled the employment insurance issue by speaking to employers and to unions. However, I have the feeling that they forgot about unemployed workers.
My question is for Mr. Céré.
The act does in fact provide for a $2 billion reserve fund. How will this provision affect the EI system, compared to all of the other shortcomings noted since the 1994 reform? Eligibility requirements are now more stringent. People must work more hours in order to qualify and the number of weeks they qualify for benefits has been reduced.
Is it possible to improve the system, given this $2 billion cap on the reserve fund?