Thank you.
Karri, you mentioned, specifically with reference to EI, that a qualifying period of 360 hours, which when you look at the days would in effect mean 2.25 months, to qualify for 50 to 100 weeks of benefits without a two-week waiting period at 65% of the insurable earnings...if that's correct, what do you say about those regions of the country that have high unemployment?
Quoting Mr. Savage from our own committee, he said, “As you can see, when you reduce it to a flat-rate of 360 hours, the cost is pretty significant.” In other words, keep the regional rates, more or less. This is to protect those people in high unemployment areas. Mr. Savage went on to say, “But it's a real concern that if you get rid of the regional rates of unemployment, and cuts have to be made, it'll be those areas that are hurt disproportionately, and we need to be very concerned about that.”
Are you not concerned about regions of high unemployment, when you say the rate should be the same across the country? Are you really suggesting that after working 2.25 months you would be entitled to all these benefits?