Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My first question is for Ms. MacKay.
I am so pleased that you talked about seasonal workers in the Atlantic provinces and eastern Quebec. I represent a riding in eastern Quebec. That is a reality in those regions because seasonal work accounts for such a significant part of the economy.
Before 2012, there was a provision—it was a pilot project—that extended the benefit period by five weeks. In many cases, regions with high unemployment rates are those that depend on seasonal jobs.
The Conservatives got rid of that provision, so we now have the “black hole” from when benefits end to when work starts up again for seasonal jobs. It can last three months.
Then the five-week benefit extension was reintroduced. It applies only to certain regions, not necessarily those with the highest unemployment rates, but those where unemployment rates have gone up. That excludes pretty much everyone in the Atlantic provinces and certainly everyone in Quebec. It is limited to 12 regions across the country, soon to be increased to 15.
What does this budget bill really do to help seasonal workers? What could the government have done for seasonal workers that would really have addressed their reality?