Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'll go back to one of the points I've already made, because I've always found that dispassionate reason is the best way to approach things.
Many, many Canadians are not eligible for employment insurance benefits. The evidence I have heard anecdotally and from stakeholders in the greater Toronto area is that those Canadians are disproportionately immigrants.
As recent studies have shown, immigrants to Canada, especially in places like the greater Toronto area, are being affected by a lack of economic opportunities. They are increasingly struggling to find the jobs they have come to Canada for, and they are facing many challenges and various social economic indicators.
Therefore, extending sickness benefits from 15 to 50 weeks widens the inequality between those Canadians who are not eligible for employment insurance, especially immigrants in the greater Toronto area, and those Canadians who are.
For that reason I don't think we should exacerbate the inequality gap by passing this piece of legislation. Thank you.