Evidence of meeting #60 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cancer.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
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.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
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.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
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.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
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?
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
Mark Eyking Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
Yes.
We did some numbers. Of course, you're always prepared for the question.
5:25 p.m.
NDP
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.
February 28th, 2007 / 5:25 p.m.
Conservative
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
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.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
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.
