You are proposing an increase to the premiums paid by employers who are trying to attract new investments and by those who work in the seasonal sector. In short, you want to reduce the opportunities for people in eastern Quebec, who often speak only French, are between 45 and 55 years of age, and have always worked in seasonal industries.
We are trying to reduce this dependence on seasonal work, but it is a lengthy process. Significant progress has been made in this area. Employment insurance reform as it has been applied has already caused an exodus from eastern Canada, and a measure like yours will mean that even more people will leave.
Once again, I would like to understand how a francophone from the Gaspé or the Lower St. Lawrence, who is 45 to 55 years old, will be encouraged to move to an area with a lower unemployment rate. Since you represent the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, I assume you would encourage people to go to Saskatchewan or Alberta. But they won't go.