I have discussed this with others who have expertise as regards the application of the Employment Insurance Act. Based on the current wording, Bill C-395 would not provide for an extension longer than 104 weeks, because the qualifying period has not been redefined. In our opinion, there is a difference between adding a new reason, under subsection 8(2), whereby the qualifying period could be extended—in this case, a labour dispute—and going so far as to redefine the qualifying period in exceptional cases. This makes it possible to include workers who become injured, are involved in industrial accidents, become ill, or are affected by labour disputes or situations of considerable length.
