Human Resources committee  One of the key objectives of the EI modernization work that we're doing is looking at ways to ensure that all workers have access to EI and that the EI program is more inclusive, stronger and simplified. We're looking at all aspects of the program in terms of administrative and program simplifications, but also access issues with respect to workers losing their jobs and families experiencing life events such as the birth of a child or illness.

Human Resources committee  We are compiling the information and doing the analysis now. Certainly a lot of interest has been raised from worker, labour and family groups around access, such as eligibility rules for accessing programs and flexibilities for using parental and maternity benefits. For example, there is interest in looking at the number of weeks of benefits available for adoptive parents compared to birth mothers and other birth parents in general.

Human Resources committee  What I can say is that the Canada Employment Insurance Commission has submitted an application to seek leave to appeal to the SST appeal division on this case, which was granted. The matter is before the SST, so I would not be in a position to offer more comment on this particular case.

Human Resources committee  I am happy to answer the question. The first stage of the consultation, as I explained, began in August with an opening round table with the Minister, Ms. Qualtrough, and the two employment insurance commissioners...

Human Resources committee  Okay.

Human Resources committee  The first phase of the consultations ended on February 17 with a closing round table, after some 20 round tables had been held. As you said, in the course of the inquiry, there were about 2,000 respondents and about 60 written submissions, from one end of the country...

Human Resources committee  Yes, that's possible. I confirm that there will be a report on the first phase of the consultations regarding the topics I spoke about earlier: eligibility for employment insurance, simplifying the process, seasonal workers, the premium reduction program...

Human Resources committee  A report will be published when we launch the second phase, in the spring, starting in April or May.

Human Resources committee  Good afternoon. I will be pleased to answer the question. The government is committed to modernizing the employment insurance scheme. That commitment was clearly stated in our minister's mandate letter. In fact, we are currently working to develop measures that will enable us to move forward with this modernization.