Thank you, Madam Chair.
Welcome to our meeting this afternoon.
I just want to check a couple of things. This bill applies only to those people who would lose their jobs after a strike is over; it would not apply to everyone en masse. If for any reason people are laid off after going back to work following a strike, that's when it would apply. I suspect the number laid off probably wouldn't be very large unless the company was shutting down one way or another.
I understand that you say these strikers have a vote, but you and I know what the difficulties of negotiations are. Sometimes it's not a matter of choice; you get to impasses. It's not as if the workers always have a choice. I've seen it on both sides. But can you tell me why you object to their receiving assistance? That's one question. This bill only covers them after they become unemployed.
The other question deals with your point that they can get employment elsewhere. However, that employment would be considered in any case in the EI process, so that if they were to earn a full-time salary, that period wouldn't be counted. It would be considered in the equation and would cancel itself out. It's not an issue for this bill in that sense, I don't think.
I have another question for you, but could you just touch base with me on what your major issue is with people who have actually been on strike and then go back to work but lose their jobs? Then, of course, depending on how long they've been off work, they also lose that period.