Human Resources Committee on Feb. 28th, 2007

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

We want them to get it.

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

But the HRDC people are the best gatekeepers here. They know the system, the people, and the doctors. I think one of the best things we could ever do as a Parliament is do something like this to bridge it.

[Joe Preston, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Lake would like one more question.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Sure.

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

I think everybody on the committee received a letter from the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association stating that extending benefits under EI could result in the reduction of or even the elimination of private employer coverage, which is often superior to EI coverage.

I don't know if you got that, Mr. Eyking, or if you've seen the letter.

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

No. But before I got involved I was a business person, and we had insurance. They're losing their premiums. It's technically competition. Maybe some companies will think they don't need to have it because they pay into the EI system, so why not, if one of their employees gets sick—It's more that they think somebody's going on their territory, but so be it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Mr. Savage.

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Eyking, this bill is so important, timely, and bullet-proof that we can all see the necessity of it. I wouldn't be surprised if the government saw the light and decided to put this in the budget. You'd be okay with that, wouldn't you?

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Yes.

We did some numbers. Of course, you're always prepared for the question.

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

A point of order. We tried to do it when the Liberals were there, and they didn't listen. I hope the Conservatives listen.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

That was my question.

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

You always think of the question that somebody's going to ask, but nobody asks it: what's it going to cost?

Right now we have up to 15 weeks and most don't fully utilize it. We're around $800 million right now. On the numbers we have from HRDC, everybody who hits the 15 weeks will not go to 52 weeks. They figure it will probably be bumped up 10 to 15 weeks on average for those major illnesses. They're looking at roughly $200 million to $250 million. That's what it all boils down to. It could go back and forth, but that's where it's at.

When you talk to employers and people out there, there's a net benefit here. That $200 million is money well spent to get people back and productive in our society.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you very much.

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

That's what we want to hear.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Mr. Eyking, Mr. Arango, and Mr. Kyle, thank you very much for being here today as our witnesses.

I'll just remind members that if they have amendments, get them to the clerk by tomorrow at noon before we go to clause-by-clause.

The meeting is adjourned.