Thank you, Madam Chair.
My first question is pretty quick and to the point. I think it can be answered quickly.
My question is in respect of the matter of employers now being able to submit records electronically when they were previously required to print a paper copy for their employees, therefore cutting red tape for businesses and getting the benefits to Canadians sooner. Patrick Culhane, the president of the Canadian Payroll Association, says that “The Government of Canada has taken a major step in supporting both employers and employees” and that “submitting electronic ROEs...reduces the administrative and compliance burden on employers, while enhancing accuracy and response time for employees who are applying for Employment Insurance benefits”.
As well, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is commending you because “the government has recently taken welcome steps to increase the speed with which the jobless who are entitled to benefits start receiving their cheques, by investing $60 million to increasing the number of workers processing the claims”.
My question is about what the electronic submissions have now made possible. Why was that not done some years ago? Certainly we've had computer technology around for a while. Is there a reason that was not done sooner?