Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to thank Minister Finley and her staff for coming here today on short notice. It's very much appreciated.
I would like to point out that I believe this meeting was for supplementary estimates, and I haven't heard a question yet on supplementary estimates, but that must be a testament to you and your staff's good ability.
I'd also like to point out that I appreciate the seriousness and the compassion with which you conduct yourself on a daily basis. I really think the people of Canada appreciate a minister who takes her job seriously and is compassionate about the issues that Canadians see. So on behalf of the people here in Bruce, I would like to thank you for that.
I also appreciate the spirit in which you've put together your programs by actually talking to Canadians. I think a lot of the items we've seen in the budget through the economic action plan reflect the wishes of Canadians. Specifically, we've received numerous appreciative calls in our constituency office regarding the five-week extensions. As a person who used to work in the finance department of a company, the freezing of EI rates is definitely appreciated in the business community, as well as by the employees, because that comes directly off the paycheques of Canadians. There is no better stimulus than the freezing of EI rates. So on behalf of the people here in Bruce, I thank you again for your efforts.
I also know your staff is working very hard to put the wheels in motion, and so are the people in the field with Service Canada. We have a tremendous relationship with them, both in Goddard and Kitchener, and I know they're working extra hours. They've put more people in the field to work overtime to make sure no one gets left behind, and I really do commend you on those initiatives and those actions.
As a member of Parliament from Ontario, we've heard a lot about Ontario's fair share, and I just wondered, on the topic of EI accessibility, if you could address the so-called Ontario fair share argument that is currently being made. Some look at the numbers and say there's a lower percentage of people in Ontario eligible for EI and they suggest that it's somehow due to the unfair treatment of Ontario within the EI system. Minister, would you be prepared to clarify that issue today?