I agree that everyone wants to work. On the other hand, I know very well that students know how to count. When I was working during the summer, I wanted to have as much money as possible in my account.
We did the math: it would take 44 hours at minimum wage to match the amount a student who is eligible for CESB and works only 19 hours a week would receive. A lot of jobs are only 35 hours a week. We're not saying that students don't want to work, but we know they want to make as much money as possible before they start school again in September.
I think it's really important for the department and the government to do these calculations. They have to try to find a solution so that students do not refuse to work, especially since the government has just created a lot of jobs through the Canada summer jobs program. However, these are probably all jobs that only offer 35 hours a week, and in which students will earn less money than if they only work 19 hours a week and still receive the CESB.
Will the government put in place a process for students who are looking for work? What mechanisms are you considering to allow students to prove that they are looking for work? Could you give me a brief explanation of that, please?