I certainly cannot speak to the account. Whether or not the program itself is fair and equitable and good policy in terms of assisting the unemployed is one thing. How the government decides to manage the premiums and the benefits.... Because it's integrated with the books of Canada, the reality is that if the government decides to increase EI benefits, say, by $2 billion a year, it does mean that it's a $2 billion fiscal commitment the government has to recognize. So that is an issue that's outside the domain of HRSD and even the minister of HRSD.
On May 30th, 2006. See this statement in context.