Thank you for your question.
We are in the middle of a labour shortage, and we think seniors represent a valuable pool of potential workers. That pool is open to everyone, but seniors need to be encouraged to work. We often state that, according to a Quebec Employers Council survey, about 50% of those who continue working or return to work were incentivized by tax measures.
In 2021, during the election campaign, the government committed to setting up a tax credit for experienced workers. I note, in fact, that all political parties also proposed it. Implementation of this tax measure isn’t happening quickly. As Ms. Tassé‑Goodman noted in her opening remarks, this type of tax credit was created in Quebec and was relatively successful. Since 2012, employment rates among women went up from 7% to 8%, and among men from 3% to 4%. That means this measure had an impact.
As Ms. Tassé‑Goodman was saying, if the government does not want to set up a tax credit for experienced workers, it could consider increasing the employment income exemption when calculating the Guaranteed Income Supplement. That is what is proposed in Bill C‑319. That would be worthwhile. I remind you these people are the least fortunate. It could reduce the effect of the tax trap that discourages working.
So, those are two proposals for experienced workers that we would like to see implemented.