Evidence of meeting #18 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 39th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cost.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
When we made the calculation about the best 12 weeks, was it compared to show the difference in that from the best 14 weeks? We already have the best 14 weeks in some areas. Was that deducted from this?
Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
No, the approach we've taken is for—
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
There's a big difference now, because we have the best 14 weeks. The best 12 weeks is just an add-on to the best 14 weeks.
Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
Yes. The approach we've taken for costing the best 12 weeks is basically assuming the program is as it exists today, without the pilot project—without the best 14 weeks. The best 14 weeks, as you know, is a time-limited pilot project that only applies in a certain number of regions.
For the purposes of costing the best 12, we've looked at the program nationally as it stands in its base in the legislation. So the best 12 weeks estimate, if you will, does not include the cost of the best 14. Including the cost of the best 14 would slightly reduce, obviously, the incremental cost.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Why would it be slightly? The best 14 is in use where there is the highest level of unemployment. That means it's where the cost is, because it's where there is the highest level of unemployment. That's the pilot project.
Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
I'd have to look at what the incremental costs would be. I'd have to come back to you with a number on that.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
When you say $665 million for 150,000 people, was that for sick leave and parental leave?
Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
That is for regular benefits and special benefits. Just to be clear, special benefits include maternity and parental, sickness, and the compassionate care benefit.
Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
And regular benefits, yes.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I just want to be clear. The $535 million for 100,000 persons is for...?
Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
That applies to new entrants, re-entrants—
Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
—and that's for regular benefits. That limit doesn't apply to special benefits.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Okay, just for the new re-entrants.
Will this be more than 15% of the employment, all these numbers?
Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
More than 15% of...?
Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
Of the whole program?
Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
I believe—and I'm working from memory—that's slightly more than 10% of the cost of the current program.
Director General, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Social Development
Yes, ballpark.
Conservative
