For the benefit of the ministers here today, I will read the motion:
That the committee undertakes a study for at least 6 sittings on the Employment Insurance sickness benefits program to examine especially, but not exclusively a. if the programme meets the real needs of the claimants; b. the impact of the length of the benefits on the claimants and on their recovery; c. the program accessibility; d. the population affected by this program and their characteristics; and hear, not limited to this list, witnesses from the health sector, former claimants or groups representing them, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development; and that it report on its conclusions to the House.
Having the ministers here today makes this a good time to discuss the motion.
I would like to continue the debate. This is an important motion. This is a study the committee should undertake, and we should vote to go ahead with the study. The Minister, himself, said publicly that the issue was important and even committed to looking into it in the year following the interview he did with Radio-Canada television. Since that year is up, however, I think it's very important that we discuss this motion and move forward with the study.