Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, everybody, for coming here today.
Ms. Ralph, I appreciate your recommendations. I suspect that part of the problem with your second recommendation is that the EI act itself is structured in such a way that the provinces become responsible for an individual who experiences disabilities, and that creates a little bit of a problem.
I would like you to address that. I think our government recognizes there is a real need in the provinces for more funding. For instance, under the gas act, for municipalities, the 2¢.... I just jotted some of these things down, and I'm trying to think if we have participated in that. The reduction in GST will impact all governments. There were enormous increases to the provinces in transfer payments. If my memory serves me right, there was $2 billion for co-op housing as well, which certainly would help those who are on disability. The government is doing, within its framework, what it is able to do.
I think your recommendations are something we have to look at, but within that framework we are somewhat impeded.
There is one issue I wish you would have possibly made into a recommendation. You probably do recommend this. I just want to give you that opportunity. We've heard from a number of our witnesses that we are at the very crest of a worker shortage, so it seems very strange...because I know that people with disabilities have very much to offer. I am wondering if you have some type of plan for employers to hire people with disabilities, in the form of a tax.... Have you considered those? Do you have any of those recommendations? I think that would be as important as your other recommendations.