Business of Supply  It is also important to note that EI is a fund paid into by employees and employers, not the government. According to a report from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada, in 2015 the government is expected to collect $3.5 billion more in employment insurance premiums than needed.

Business of Supply  The Liberal plan would grant every business that creates a new job, regardless of the size of the business, an EI premium exemption for the employee who fills that new position. Unlike the Conservative plan, the Liberal EI exemption would actually reward businesses that are growing their payrolls. It would not reward companies that reduce wages or staffing levels to make it under an arbitrary $15,000 threshold.

Unemployment Rate  We recognize that this is the case in every region of the country. For example, last year the leader of the Liberal Party suggested an EI premium exemption for every worker who is hired to fill a new job in 2015 and 2016. We believe that would go a long way in supporting small and medium-sized businesses. This is something we espoused and talked about at great length.

Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2  I could not have planted a better question than that. Quite frankly, it is a very simple program, an EI program that would in fact generate tens of thousands of jobs in every region of our country. It is an EI premium break for every new hire that a small business takes on. Again, independent sources outside of the Liberal Party and outside of the Liberal caucus have acknowledged that it is in fact a program that would make a difference and that thousands of jobs would be created as a direct result if the government incorporated the Liberal plan.

Finance committee  Thanks to each of you for your presentations today. I'd like to begin with you, Mr. Johal, on a question about the EI rates and the recent PBO report that suggests that higher-than-necessary EI premiums could cost 10,000 jobs in Canada. Given the fragile employment market today, particularly in terms of youth unemployment and underemployment, what are your thoughts on EI premiums and whether higher-than-necessary EI premiums make sense during a time of soft employment?

Business of Supply  Etobicoke North residents and all Canadians deserve a plan for jobs and growth. Unfortunately, the Conservatives' EI plan provides neither. The Liberals' EI premium exemption plan would reward businesses for each new job created in 2015 and 2016. This would represent a benefit of up to $1,280 for each newly created job, which for $225 million could help to create over 175,000 new jobs.

Business of Supply  Jack Mintz criticized the small business jobs credit as creating a disincentive for growth. Why will the minister not support targeted measures, such as an EI premium holiday that would actually reward businesses that hire new workers and expand their workforce?

Business of Supply  Chair, 1.9% projected growth is still anemic growth. Why is the minister waiting until 2017 to reduce EI premiums?

Business of Supply  The Liberals have a real solution, an EI premium exemption for new jobs created in 2015 and 2016. This represents a benefit of up to $1,279.15 for each newly created job. For the same price as the Conservative scheme, our proposed EI premium exemption could help create over 175,000 new jobs.

Finance committee  Specifically he asked you whether you could find out how many businesses paid between $14,000 to $16,000 in EI premiums in 2013. Were you able to get this information from the government?

Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2  I was at the finance committee when the particular clause involving the tax credit for businesses that pay less than $15,000 in EI premiums was considered and when amendments were rejected by the government. What I would like to complain about is the work of the committee, in that the point was made that for for small businesses that pay just over $15,000 in EI premiums, there is a very large marginal tax on the business.

The Budget  Is it acceptable in this period of economic uncertainty that people need to wait that long? Second, we heard that the government will freeze premium rates. Last year a crown corporation for EI was created, the major purpose of which was to set premium rates. Is this an indication that the government has abandoned that new crown corporation?

Finance committee  According to a recent PBO report, the excess of EI taxes the government is charging over the next, I think, two years, will cost the economy 10,000 jobs. Have you done some analysis on the overall EI premiums and the impact on employment rendered by excess premiums?

Committees of the House  I do not understand how members can speak in favour of recommendation 16 and vote against what the leader of the Liberal Party came forward about and asked the government for, which was an EI premium exemption that would have resulted directly in thousands of youth being employed had it passed.

Committees of the House  The leader of the Liberal party introduced a wonderful idea that would have dealt with recommendation 16. Members will remember the EI premium exemption that was suggested by the Liberal Party and that was brought to the House for a vote. That EI premium exemption would have provided a tax exemption for every worker who is hired to fill a new job in 2015-16.