Human Resources committee  No. You're putting words in my mouth. I'm saying that people who have paid into that benefit, just as other individuals who have paid into it and for other reasons can't access it, are entitled to--

Human Resources committee  Part of the challenge, of course, is that we know who is in the system, and we know how many people get involved in the system. There are circumstances. I'm always reminded of the Anatole France quote that the rich and the poor are jailed just as frequently for stealing a loaf of bread and sleeping under bridges.

Human Resources committee  Thank you.

Human Resources committee  Not in the provincial and territorial systems. There are very few programs in the provincial and territorial systems. I certainly would like to hear where it says you have to be seen as deserving of the benefit. There are people who are—

Human Resources committee  Where does it say that it's out of your control, even? I don't believe that's in the legislation.

Human Resources committee  But people who have injured themselves because they have been negligent or not worn safety equipment are not necessarily disentitled, and some would argue that would be a similar situation to someone who—

Human Resources committee  No, but there are other benefits they are entitled to, such as student loans and grants, and some of those are federally--

Human Resources committee  That's right.

Human Resources committee  I would underscore that. One of the challenges we have with people coming out of prison is the incentive to continue on and believe they can make it. We certainly see that with women coming out, especially if they're single moms wondering how they're going to manage. To rack up more and more disincentives makes it a much more difficult path.

Human Resources committee  Thank you. My name is Kim Pate. I'm with the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, and I thank you for inviting us on behalf of the membership board and the clientele we work with. I appreciate the opportunity to speak to Bill C-316, an act to amend the Employment Insurance Act.

Justice committee  Yes, I do. I think that in order to fund this bill, as we've already heard and a number of witnesses have stated, we're likely to see resources taken out of other areas. As Mr. Sullivan said, we already know what women and children need. They need more equality. We've had cuts to Status of Women, rape crisis centres, and to shelters, which are overcrowded and can't take everybody.

Justice committee  Yes.

Justice committee  Thank you. We're already seeing the impact of the changes that have occurred due to the overcrowding in women's prisons. For instance, women are not getting access to programs they need. They are therefore not able to complete the requirements of their correctional treatment plans and to have the least restrictive measures and earliest opportunity to be released to the community in a way that's safe for them and others.

Justice committee  Yes, thank you very much. Thank you for accommodating this. I know it was short notice for all of us, so I appreciate the opportunity to appear. I'm representing the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, and we are 26 members across the country, who provide services to women and girls who have been victimized, marginalized, criminalized, and institutionalized.

Public Safety committee  And there are options where that's legal.