As I said, the complete lack of income, known as the black hole, is a huge problem. In numerous regions in eastern Quebec, including Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, and in Atlantic Canada, people have absolutely no income once their EI benefits have run out until they return to seasonal employment.
Those five weeks were practically vital to these regions. Those impacted have experienced significant hardship. The economic survival of these people and these regions are at stake. We are talking about a large segment of the population that no longer has any source of income and is not necessarily eligible to receive social assistance from the province. Those five weeks often filled the void when they had absolutely no income.