Yes. The previous government claimed to have reduced the debt by $92 billion, but it failed to mention that it took $57 billion out of the EI fund. That explains why there was a surplus of only $30 billion. That's precisely what happened.
With respect to the bill that would bring in a 360-hour threshold, several business representatives have argued that if the number of hours needed to qualify was lowered, people would be more inclined to opt for collecting EI, rather than to work. Even the government that preceded the Liberals held that view. It's not the first time that we've heard this. I'd like to hear from the mayor of Elliot Lake and I'd like to know whether in his opinion, his residents would prefer to collect EI instead of getting up and going to work every morning.