I have one very quick question.
Thank you, Minister, for being here, as always.
My question will deal with benefits. I think we've done some good things over the years with benefits. We've taken some of the disincentives out of the program, and it's making more sense now than it did a number of years ago. Such things as maternity benefits have encouraged more women to take part in, to engage in, the workforce during their childbearing years. Sick benefits have proven to be very beneficial to Canadian workers. I know there's a private member's bill to extend that for catastrophic health reasons. It's been talked about, through some of the testimony, that it would be reflected in some benefits, that this might be looked at as a straight insurance policy and workers in seasonal industries may be penalized for accessing the fund in successive years or subsequent years.
So my question to you, Minister, is this. When I see that this is all about making sure these funds are used only to pay for EI benefits, can you give us the assurance that the benefits side will still be a function of the department and will still be a function of Parliament?