Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee, for allowing us to have our voice and come here to Nova Scotia. That's very important for us.
We're happy to be here because consultation is very important to the 65,000 members—working men and women in every sector of our economy and every community in our province—who are represented under the umbrella of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour.
We have issues that I'm going to talk about that fit under the three questions that were sent to us. These areas are helping Canadians, health care, and pharmacare.
We recommend that government restore the intent and integrity of the Canada Health Act and renegotiate a new health and social accord with the provinces and territories. This accord should provide stable annual increases in funding tied to improvements in, and the expansion of, public health care, to a minimum of 25% by 2025.
We do not support the privatization of health care through fees for service, public-private partnerships, or any other form of privatization.
Investments in health care should include a national pharmacare program, a national seniors strategy, a national mental health strategy, and improved access to health services in home and community settings.
It's also important that the five fundamental principles of universality, accessibility, comprehensiveness, portability, and public administration form the foundation of this accord. We believe that the social outcomes of such an investment are significant, but so are economic outcomes such as job creation and economic activities.
In terms of early childhood education and care, one of the most important things that the federal government could do to improve the quality of life of Canadians is to ensure that families have access to quality and affordable early childhood education and care. Investing in a national child care strategy will help address the gender gap across the country, increase labour market participation among women, and create significant local economic activity.
Many studies have shown that early childhood education generates far more jobs than other sectors, returns an estimated $2 in benefits for every dollar invested, and can pay for itself in fiscal terms.
Research also shows us that aside from raising families out of poverty and stimulating the economy, early childhood education allows children to thrive regardless of their economic or social status.
With the rise in precarious work, inequality, low-wage jobs, and unemployment, we also need to strengthen legislation, policies, and programs that protect the interests of workers. Research has shown that higher unionization rates and wages lessen income and gender inequality and are better for our economy. When workers earn more, they pay more taxes and spend more in their communities. The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour recommends a federal minimum wage of $15 an hour.
On infrastructure investment in strong public services, we recommend increased investment in public services and infrastructure. Public services in Canada have experienced deep cuts over the past decade. Strong public services form the backbone of communities and hence sustainability, allow the business community to flourish, and are grounded in good jobs with good wages that are spent in local communities.
Investment should also look at the green economy and jobs and a movement away from the P3 model and privatization as a means of delivering public services to Canadians.
The federation of labour also recommends improved funding for stronger labour market agreements. The upcoming budget should expand investment in active labour market policies in the areas of training and job search assistance. We would like to see the budget follow through on the government's full funding commitment for labour market development agreements and the Canada job fund agreements.
In addition, eligibility for accessing these programs should be expanded to include young workers and newcomers, and it should include investments in training for women to increase their participation in non-traditional work.
Another federal measure is pay equity. One of the ways the federal government could address the gender wage gap is through pay equity legislation. We recommend that the Liberal government act on the recommendations put forth by the House of Commons committee on pay equity for such legislation, which would oblige employers in the federal sector to take steps to eliminate gender-based wage discrimination. It's also good for our economy.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour recommends a review of the equalization program with a view to making it more responsive in times of an economic recession. Given the lag in the application of the current equalization formula, the government may want to revisit it to explore ways that would lessen the impact of commodity price fluctuations on employment, communities, and workers.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour finally recommends that the government implement universal qualification for employment insurance at 360 hours, increase benefits to 60% of normal pay using a worker's 12 best weeks, and review the social security tribunal, the SST.