Thank you, Chair.
Again, I would really like to extend my appreciation to you, your team, and your colleagues for attending for the second time in one week. I know that's a testament to your dedication and your time, because I know those hours you spend here are added on at the end of the day or before the work day begins. In regard to the rest of your staff, I do appreciate the long hours you're working. It definitely takes time away from your family, and likely on the weekends, too.
Again, on Service Canada, which my staff deals with directly, I appreciate their help and their good demeanour on the phone. It really is a testament to their training and so forth. I can only speak on behalf of our office, but I would like to say that nine times out of ten there's an issue with the paperwork that's submitted with the EI claims, and we're able to help them along and make sure they get the dollars rolling.
I would like to make a comment, though, on what I've heard in the last couple of committee meetings regarding freezing of EI premiums. There are some questions, I think, from some colleagues of mine on the actual stimulus factor or the benefit therein, for either employers or employees. I have a quote here from my former CFO that I'd like to share with my colleagues. It's just on some of the economic stimulus here, maybe, and it goes like this:
In times when our monthly insurance premiums, dental and health, are continually increasing, it's great to hear that our federal government has taken this initiative to hold these costs firm. It helps us free up some budget which could result in part-time or full-time work.
So when we talk about a collaborative and consultative approach to putting together the economic action plan, the freezing of EI premiums most definitely helps corporations as well as the employees, and we know these come directly off employees' paycheques. For that, we are truly thankful.
One of the questions I have for you is about page 2 of the CMHC report, and it's to do with the retrofitting and energy upgrades. It does mention here that provinces and territories will be required to cost-share on a fifty-fifty basis. My question is about the fact that some affordable housing is owned by counties and municipalities. I'm wondering, to circumvent the process, will they be available to cost-share on a 50-50 basis with the federal government? That's my question for you guys.