Thank you very much.
Minister, thank you very much for coming again today.
You did a fine job when you were here on your first occasion briefing us. Following that, witnesses raised a lot of questions. I felt it was important to have you back to make sure that they get adequate answers and we're doing the job we're asked to do. EI is an extremely important thing. It's not something anybody wants to have to seek out, but the reality is that it's been a backstop for many people to bridge that day when they find themselves unemployed.
A significant issue that's been raised to us is the difference here between “shall” and “may”. I'll read you a portion of clause 131 that talks about the board's reserve. It says that in the event that it is not sufficient for the payment of the amounts authorized,
the Minister of Finance, when requested by the Minister, may authorize the advance to the Account from the Consolidated Revenue Fund
I'd like to see that word changed from “may” authorize to “shall” authorize. There's a very significant difference between those two words. Some people out there think this is moving one step toward the elimination of an EI program. It's really important to make it clear that is should be “shall” and not “may”.
Do you have any problems with that recommendation?