Thank you, Chair. I can take that question.
In terms of the workers who will be affected by this amendment, there will be the workers whose seasonal claim pattern has been disrupted by the timing of COVID-19 temporary measures. If they are eligible for this amendment, then once the legislation is passed, receives royal assent and comes into force, the additional weeks would be applied to EI regular benefit claims. The eligible seasonal claimants will be able to receive their additional weeks of benefits once that legislation receives royal assent.
We understand that there may be a gap in benefits between January 9 and full implementation of the proposed measure, but the nature of the amendment is such that all eligible claimants would receive the benefit to which they are entitled, and every effort would be made to ensure that the payments are processed as quickly as possible.