Evidence of meeting #15 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was clause.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:55 p.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
The bill talks about $42,500 in insurable earnings, but currently that amount is $43,200. I just wanted to point out that, under the bill, the amount would have been indexed since 2009, so it would be slightly higher than $43,200. It was just to say that the rule that applies here would apply to the amount allowed currently. It was just a clarification.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Candice Bergen
Thank you very much.
(Clauses 2 to 10 inclusive agreed to)
Shall the schedule carry?
3:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
3:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
3:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Candice Bergen
We don't need a reprint.
Thank you. That work is completed.
I will now allow Mr. Komarnicki the opportunity to answer Monsieur Lessard's question.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
He could restate the question, I suppose, so I could get it more clearly, but in essence this bill would require significant spending in a host of areas.
One, of course, is increasing the amount of the benefit by raising it. There are a number of other things. It would end up costing a few billion dollars.
I know he said before that there were funds in the EI account that were taken by the previous Liberal government and used for other purposes, but that money is gone. Notwithstanding all of that, there is a cost to this, and a royal recommendation would be required. It's not something we would want to impose on employers, employees, or the Government of Canada.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
May 3rd, 2010 / 3:55 p.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
I understand that Mr. Komarnicki is talking about Bill C-308, which will cost money, but my question about the royal recommendation had to do with Bill C-395. Since he mentioned Bill C-308, I will use this opportunity to remind Mr. Komarnicki that he was among those members who voted with us in 2005, in favour of the 28 recommendations, and that the provisions in Bill C-308 reflect some of the 28 recommendations that he supported.
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
3:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
3:55 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
I mean, I thought I knew then, but I know now for sure.
4 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
The fact of the matter is that it's quite simple, really. This is not a bill that the government is proposing. It is a private member's bill. In fact, in fairness to Mr. Lessard, the witnesses have testified that we're not able to say what it is going to cost.
You yourself, Mr. Lessard, indicate that you're attempting to apply it to a specific situation. But the fact is it applies broadly to a number of other situations that could qualify, and it is retrospective and will cost a significant number of dollars, and those dollars are going to have to be paid by someone. It's a present cost that you're trying to impose retroactively, and either EI rates will be affected in one fashion or another or the general public of Canada will. And for the same reasons I stated before, a recommendation will be required.
4 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Candice Bergen
Okay, very good.
I just want to remind everyone before we adjourn that we are travelling to our first nations reserves on Monday. Georges needs to have names in of everybody who would like to go on that trip with us, because it's one week away. We want to make sure we have representation from each party. So this is just a reminder to please get your names in.
Mr. Lessard, did you have anything else you wanted to say, or can I adjourn?
4 p.m.
Bloc
Yves Lessard Bloc Chambly—Borduas, QC
Ms. Beaudin and I want to confirm that we will be attending in Val-d'Or. We are confirming what we said last week.
4 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Candice Bergen
Okay. So you two will be the members of the Bloc who will be attending.
