Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank the minister and the officials for being here today.
Minister, on the EI stuff, I'm not going there today. But it's incumbent, when politicians get engaged, that they tell the truth to the people. When we see a letter stating that EI recipients are receiving payment in 21 days in 80% of the cases, and it's signed by the minister and the minister does not know that notice of non-payment is also part of that measurement, then that gets people upset.
But here's where I'm going. I'm starting this on a good footing, Minister. I know you work hard. I know you're a capable guy. Being smart, capable, and committed, then knowing your files is a step up. I think you can be a fixer. I appreciate at face value your offer to work with the committee and those around, and I thank you for that.
Just with regard to the rationale for the jobs grant, I know the Prime Minister said “[It's] the biggest challenge our country faces”, and I know you're on record saying, “Those who say there is no skill shortages are facing a mismatch with reality”.
Square the circle with the Don Drummond comments and the study from the TD.