Pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, September 29, 2009, Bill C-50, an Act to Amend the Employment Insurance Act and to increase benefits, we will start today.
I want to thank the witnesses, once again, for coming on probably short notice, although I'm sure that if you saw the bill passing through the House, you'd be coming to see us at some point.
I don't know who's going to be speaking on your behalf, Mr. Thompson, but we're going to turn the floor over to you. You guys know the routine. The microphones will come off and on for you as I acknowledge you, and then what we'll do is get through some rounds of questioning.
I'm probably going to suggest to the committee that we break at around 5, because we have some committee business to take care of. So we'll look at dealing with questions and answers over the next hour and a half.
Mr. Thompson, welcome again. It's good to see you. The floor is yours, sir.