Evidence of meeting #50 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was commission.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Paul Thompson  Assistant Deputy Minister, Processing and Payment Services Branch, Service Canada
Éric Giguère  Director, Employment Insurance Appeal Division, Service Canada

12:05 p.m.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Processing and Payment Services Branch, Service Canada

Paul Thompson

They're appointed by the chief umpire.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

And who appoints the chief umpire?

12:05 p.m.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Processing and Payment Services Branch, Service Canada

Paul Thompson

It's done in consultation with the chief judge of the Federal Court.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

So the chief judge of the Federal Court appoints him, or the government does, in consultation?

12:05 p.m.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Processing and Payment Services Branch, Service Canada

Paul Thompson

Do you want to clarify that?

12:05 p.m.

Director, Employment Insurance Appeal Division, Service Canada

Éric Giguère

I'd have to confirm that.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

Okay. I'd just like to know how that....

12:05 p.m.

Director, Employment Insurance Appeal Division, Service Canada

Éric Giguère

They are Governor in Council appointments.

12:05 p.m.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Processing and Payment Services Branch, Service Canada

Paul Thompson

It's more in the realm of judicial appointments, and outside the purview of--

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

I understand, but is the chief umpire appointed by the government, or is he appointed by the chief justice in consultation with the government? I'd just like to know.

12:05 p.m.

Director, Employment Insurance Appeal Division, Service Canada

Éric Giguère

We'll have to verify that.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

It seems like a long time to me for a case to last 12 months at the umpire level, as it seems here, especially if someone is waiting for money. Is that standard, and is there any reason that it would take that long?

12:05 p.m.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Processing and Payment Services Branch, Service Canada

Paul Thompson

That's not a performance measure that we track, since this is an arm's-length judicial body that is hearing these cases. We're informed that 12 months is the average length of time, but I'm not in a position to comment on--

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

How many cases would the umpire hear in a year?

12:05 p.m.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Processing and Payment Services Branch, Service Canada

Paul Thompson

It's around 1,500.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

And what percentage--

12:05 p.m.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Processing and Payment Services Branch, Service Canada

Paul Thompson

That's how many are submitted to the umpire. There may be....

12:05 p.m.

Director, Employment Insurance Appeal Division, Service Canada

Éric Giguère

With the client appeals, there would be about 2,200 or so as a ballpark figure.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

You're saying that 2,200 would be submitted?

12:05 p.m.

Director, Employment Insurance Appeal Division, Service Canada

Éric Giguère

Yes, 2,200 would be submitted to the umpire.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

How many would be heard?

12:05 p.m.

Director, Employment Insurance Appeal Division, Service Canada

Éric Giguère

As a ballpark figure, it would be the same.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

Sorry?

12:05 p.m.

Director, Employment Insurance Appeal Division, Service Canada

Éric Giguère

I'd have to check. I'm not sure that we have the stats here with us, but we can provide that information.

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON

Can you provide that to us? Also, what percentage would be a positive result for the appellant?