Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
As vice-chair, I want to join with our chair in welcoming you, minister. We are pleased to welcome you to the committee as part of our analysis and approval of certain budgetary appropriations.
Without further ado, I will proceed with my questions.
On September 6, 2016, you made a commitment on Radio-Canada public television to resolve a situation that had dragged on for decades and involved thousands of workers suffering from serious diseases. Those workers are currently entitled to 15 weeks of benefits payable in the event of serious illness. During the election campaign, the government and you personally made a commitment to resolve that situation. I'm thinking, for example, of Marie-Hélène Dubé, whom you met a few weeks ago and told that you were working on the matter.
Are you now undertaking to meet the commitment that the government and you yourself made to resolve this situation more than two years ago? If so, when will you do it?
I know you are doing a lot of good things, but I would like to hear your response on the specific issue of the 15 weeks of payable benefits. When will you respectfully treat employment insurance claimants who are suffering from a serious illness?