Human Resources Committee on Feb. 28th, 2007

[Johanne Deschamps, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Sir, I would like you to be more specific, because I do not at all see how your question relates to the matter before us.

I am talking about a bill that will improve the current employment insurance system, and aims to restore justice for workers who are currently paying into the system. Yet, you—

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

What I'm saying is it's inconsistent. In the past, you voted against legislation that was designed to help people, simply because of wording difficulties, because you can't accept the word “national”. Clearly, EI is a federal program. How do you justify introducing a private member's bill dealing with what is clearly a national program? And of course just prior to this, we—

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

It's a federal program.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Even on Bill C-257—The last bill we dealt with here was Bill C-257, which also dealt with federal jurisdiction. It seems that you kind of pick your spots politically here. I'm wondering how you justify it.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Please excuse the interruption, but for the benefit of our interpreters, I must say that there is a BlackBerry going off beside our colleague, which is hindering the work of our interpreters.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

I would ask people to turn off their BlackBerry.

Go ahead, Mr. Lake.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

I think she actually heard the question anyway.

[Johanne Deschamps, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Yes, I believe certain people would like to change the subject.

If you have suggestions, especially since you are a member of the government, and you would like to see a bill that improves the situation to which you alluded, by all means, please bring forward a bill. At this time, however, I am talking about Bill C-269 and the nine recommendations included therein.

I believe these nine recommendations constitute the very least we can do right now to give back—

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Thank you. I understand.

I really want to get to this last question, because it's further to what I was talking about before. I'm wondering again, going back to my line of questioning from before, about the costing of cutting down the 360-hour requirement. I also want you to comment on whether you think that possibly might create a disincentive to work. I'm sure you've done some research on that, and I'd like to hear the evidence you have.

[Johanne Deschamps, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

You mention disincentives, sir. Can you please be more specific?

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Sure.

I believe this is about balance in the EI system. It's there for those who need it. The balance is that it not negatively affect the incentive to work. I understand that there are legitimate challenges. Mr. Savage brought up the fact that there are legitimate challenges in parts of this country, certain territories where there are specific issues that this EI program is designed to address. But nationwide, generally, the labour market is quite strong. I know that in my area of the country we have very real difficulties, and I know that there are other areas of the country in which there are real difficulties in finding people to work.

[Johanne Deschamps, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Chair, once again, there is a BlackBerry preventing the interpreter from translating what is being said. I find it extremely rude.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

My BlackBerry is not going off.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that I want to have a system that addresses the legitimate challenges without causing unintended consequences. I'm sure that you've thought this through, and thought that there could potentially be an unintended consequence in terms of a 360-hour entrance requirement creating a disincentive to work. So I'm wondering what research you can give that—

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I would like to call a point of order.

This is the third time we're asking for the BlackBerry to be shut down, and there's a witness in the back or somebody just sitting, and I'm asking him to shut it down.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Okay.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Are you asking everybody to turn off their BlackBerry in the room?

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

If it's going to continue like that, then yes, because she cannot hear. With all respect, she cannot hear what you're saying.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Okay, that's fair.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

We want to be fair. We want her to hear what you're saying.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

We would just ask people to put those on “silent” again.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

It's not silent, though. That's the trouble. It interferes with the reception anyway.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

You can have just a very quick question, because we're out of time here. We've got to suspend the meeting to move on to our next bill, so we need just a quick response.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Specifically, on the 360-hour entrance requirement, I'm wondering what research you have that proves that this will not create the unintended consequence of a disincentive to work.

[Johanne Deschamps, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Thank you.

As we all know, over time more and more workers have had to be satisfied with part-time work. Gone are the prosperous years and the job security that we enjoyed over 10 years ago. Our current situation is rather precarious. Seasonal, part-time and unstable employment are increasingly common for people. We came up with the 360-hour rule after consulting with unions, employers, employee associations and groups that defend the rights of the unemployed.

In closing, I would like to say that I find somewhat deplorable and condescending the suggestion that this bill will incite people to stay unemployed. I do not know anyone who does not want to work. We know the conditions people are facing. In my opinion, allowing people to take advantage of the benefits to which they have contributed is one way of restoring some of their dignity.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you. I apologize, but that's all the time we have.