Can I also mention that in 1996 our labour market was in a very different place. Our unemployment rate was much higher. We didn't have the shortages we see today. The programs and the benefits that were set up at the time reflected the needs at that time. We need to now rethink where we are today and where we're going in the future, knowing the aging demographics that are facing us. We need to build an EI system that better reflects what is going on today than what was going on in 1996.
On May 15th, 2008. See this statement in context.