Human Resources committee  Yes, I would say that this bill does shift some of the risk to the employer.

Human Resources committee  I can read a statement, a press release, that was issued by the company on November 25, 2005, by the chief executive—

Human Resources committee  Please, sir, don't put words in my mouth. I'm happy to answer a question, but... To my knowledge, Domtar, in 2005, closed the operation in Lebel...laid off the employees in Lebel-sur-Quévillon because of the economic conditions. At the time, the press release that was issued by the company said: “Domtar is taking measures to mitigate the negative impacts of a combination of economic factors: downward pressure on prices, growing fiber supply costs, rising energy and transportation costs—

Human Resources committee  Before 52 weeks, the current provisions permit the entitlement to employment insurance benefits.

Human Resources committee  No, as far as—

Human Resources committee  Oh, okay.

Human Resources committee  The longest current labour dispute in Canada at this time? I don't know. Perhaps you do.

Human Resources committee  I can talk about the pulp and paper industry because I know the pulp and paper industry quite intimately. That is the industry I worked in prior to taking on this role at FETCO. In the pulp and paper industry, there is a company called Stora Enso in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, which had a very lengthy strike in 2005.

Human Resources committee  On the issue of the extent to which this creates additional costs for the government, that will happen, and I don't really have a fix on the extent to which that would happen. But I do know that we have certain qualifying arrangements today that apply to all employees who are employed, and employers are paying premiums to the EI fund at the rate of 58% of the total fund.

Human Resources committee  First of all, the point of view of employers will vary depending on the industry they're in, their company situation, the markets they're operating in, and the general state of the economy. Obviously the current economy that we're in has not been robust. We're coming out of a very serious recession.

Human Resources committee  Yes, and in fact—

Human Resources committee  I just am having difficulty understanding the question. I'm sorry.

Human Resources committee  Well, unfortunately, I'm not, but I highly respect people who are.

Human Resources committee  In the case of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, as I understand the situation, the number of employees operating in that mill was higher relative to other organizations. An issue in the collective bargaining was the number of employees who would be employed in that operation. Is that what you're referring to?

Human Resources committee  The employees at Lebel-sur-Quévillon were laid off by the company.