Absolutely. We've spent a lot of time trying to get EI modernized to the degree that it will help people with economic shock and help ensure that labour mobility is not the only answer to a solution for the seasonal workers you're talking about. That's why we have extended EI for seasonal workers in 13 targeted regions until October 2028. This is five additional weeks, as you point out, to help people get through those difficult weeks, but with a light at the end of the tunnel, knowing that their job is coming back.
My mother was a seasonal worker, by the way, as a school bus driver when I was a young person. It's very stressful for people if they don't know that they're going to be supported through that period of time. It might be difficult for them to get another job, but there is a good job waiting at the end of that particular time. Thank you for raising that.
I will also point out that we've been working on ensuring that the EI program can keep up with the pace of change we're seeing, in particular with tariff-impacted industries; that people can get rapid access to EI; that they can keep their separations earnings; and that they have the support, in partnership with provinces, to get the training that you're talking about for the next job.
