As I indicated earlier, the amount is $3 billion. The costs are based on data we collected from two sources. The first source is Mr. Brown, who was the assistant deputy minister for Human Resources and Social Development Canada back in 2005 when the study was conducted. At that time, we recommended that the coverage rate be increased from 55% to 60%. Mr. Brown concluded that when the rate was applied to everyone, it would cost $1.2 billion. This has also been confirmed by the most recent data we have received. It is also the written response Ms. Folco requested, and which we will send her.
Let's now talk about the eligibility threshold. When it was established, the purpose was to cover 90,000 unemployed workers. That represented an additional $390 million. But now, it's less than that, because more people have access to benefits under temporary programs. However, let's suppose the amount was still $390 million. Based on our evaluation, which is the same one carried out by Mr. Malcom Brown, who was the assistant deputy minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada at the time, for the 12 best weeks, the amount is $320 million. Where we didn't agree—we will have to examine this a little more closely—was regarding the maximum amount when the number of weeks was increased from 45 to 50. We arrived at approximately $200 million, whereas his total at the time was $11 million. However, there are unknown variables which should be taken into account.
We also have to take into account the cost effectiveness of your approach. When the eligibility threshold rose from $39,000 to $43,000, it cost the system $245 million in additional administration costs for the first two tiers of $1,000. However, revenues totaled $420 million. Your government raised the maximum insurable amount to $43,000. In other words, given today's salaries, the amount must, at the very least, be doubled. So it's a greater amount. This brings us to at least $250 million in additional revenues per year.