Mr. Lessard, on the kinds of changes in EI reform that would be helpful, easy entrance requirements for EI would help people get out of poverty. When we moved from an hours-based system to a weeks-based system, it required workers to work two and a half to three times longer to qualify for benefits. So that's important in order to allow workers to qualify. Certainly extending the benefit duration would help, but of course, as you pointed out, that will only help those workers who qualify. The benefit rate certainly has to be increased beyond the 55% and the way in which it's presently calculated.
EI reform is desperately needed so it recognizes that people have different patterns of work. This program has been operating since 1940, and to a large extent throughout that time it has been responsive to the changing nature of work. It has brought more workers into coverage. Maternity and other kinds of benefits--parental benefits--were brought into the plan, recognizing women's participation in the labour force. So we need to review the act to ensure that it is equitable for both men and women, and for other working patterns.
Certainly increased money for EI training is a positive step. I know that's being done. But there should be training designated to help people out of poverty who might not otherwise qualify for EI benefits. That's critically important.
I think it's also important to recognize...and just to provide some context. I don't want to point fingers today, but there is the $54 billion solution. We're aware of the so-called EI surplus, the vanishing surplus. I'm not just pointing fingers at the current government; the past government created the enabling legislation. This is a debt that is owed to workers who paid but failed to qualify and, in fairness, even to employers, who see this as a double tax.
We also have to recognize that the federal government withdrew from financing the EI Act in 1990, so I think the federal government has a responsibility. It has historically financed the EI Act, in part because it recognized that fiscal and monetary policies might influence the rate of unemployment.
I also think there's an opportunity, because of the repayment that has been ordered by the Supreme Court, to designate some of that money, in terms of the benefit repayment schedule, and target that for people in poverty and poverty reduction.