Thank you, Madam Chair.
I want to thank the witnesses for their input.
I'd like to begin with Mr. Wilson.
In January 2013, in the wake of the EI reforms announced by the minister, CME was concerned that they would lead to workers taking jobs that weren't in line with their training. As a result of the tighter eligibility requirements, an EI recipient would have to quickly accept a job in a field that wasn't related to their area of expertise. Of course, we were deeply troubled by these changes, especially since they affect benefit payments.
I want to come back to the relationship between training and available jobs. Take, for instance, someone who is required to hastily accept a job that doesn't match their skill set or that prevents them from completing a long-term training program. A situation like that would certainly be at odds with our discussion on the relationship between employment, training and the potential workers accepting those positions.
Mr. Wilson, I'd like to know whether you share that observation and those concerns about the EI reforms in your region of Quebec? What could you tell us or recommend to ensure that the changes don't undermine what we are all working for and discussing today?