Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, everyone.
Thank you to the witnesses for being here and delivering presentations.
Mr. Chair, we just received the document you requested. I appreciate the witness providing it so quickly.
I want to start by clarifying something in connection with what Mr. Fragiskatos and Ms. Masotti were just talking about. Unless I'm mistaken, the majority of the House supported extending EI sickness benefits to 50 weeks. The Bloc Québécois put forward the motion, which was supported by the NDP and the Conservatives but opposed by the Liberals. Unfortunately, it's clear from the budget and Bill C-30 that the government disregarded the will of the House. I just wanted to provide that context.
My questions are for Mr. Céré.
Mr. Céré, thank you for being here and making your presentation. You cited the IMF, which cautioned the government against withdrawing income support programs too quickly. You made clear your concerns about divisions 35 and 36 of part 4 of the bill, in relation to a new iteration of EI, one that will come into force in September for a period of one year, as well as the CRB.
To my knowledge, the minister has the power, by regulation, to extend the CRB until November, but she cannot change the amounts, which would require a change to the act. You, of course recommended that we propose amendments to the bill. We will propose amendments, but they still have to be deemed in order by the chair. We will try to come up with appropriate wording.
I want to follow up on division 36 of part 4, which amends EI. For the one-year period from September 2021 to 2022, you identified two gaps, the variable divisor in calculating the benefit rate and the benefit period.
Could you elaborate on those gaps in the bill and tell us who will be affected?