Thank you very much to the people here today who are representing organized labour. My heart goes out to you for those jobs that have been lost.
In the early part of my career I worked in the CAW union, so I know that it's very difficult for union leadership and representatives to have to go through these losses. It's stressful for your workers and also for you.
I have just one observation regarding a point made by Mr. Lessard towards Mr. Rocheleau on whether or not he had a collective agreement within his union shop. I would suggest he likely wouldn't be the president very long if he didn't have a collective agreement. That was an interesting comment.
When we talk about helping people, I can think of hundreds of currently laid-off employees in my riding that this bill would directly benefit. That's why I will be voting for this benefit.
The number of 190,000 workers has been used. By voting against this bill, Mr. Savage and Mr. Lessard are going to provide them zero help. That's unfortunate to see, for sure.
I have just one other point. I've heard the word “reform” used many times about this bill. This is a bill to amend the act. I just want that to be clear on the record.
My direct question is for the CFIB. It's a forward-looking question. Be it as it may be, the past is the past. But looking forward to the future, would you agree with and support the initiatives undertaken to balance the premiums, to invest those premiums back into employment insurance? Do you think this is a good move?