In terms of the EI sickness benefit program.... First of all, in regard to the clawback you talked about and how they're worse off if they work. For example, a person with MS who is experiencing a relapse and is only available to work part time, they get docked, then, dollar for dollar for their clawback. Does it make sense for them to work? If you do the math, it doesn't make sense. We would like to see the clawback reduced.
I do want to point out, though, that the working while on claim has been extended to include EI sickness benefits, so we're hoping that makes a difference so that will be improved. But really, I think taking that piece out altogether would be supportive.
Increasing the weeks to match the compassionate care benefits I think is reasonable. We recently did some work with the Conference Board of Canada looking at the costs of increasing the weeks but also—it's early on too—in terms of the eligibility and the number of hours. We're talking about people, women, in precarious and part-time work these days, and being able to even have enough hours to qualify for EI sickness benefits is a difficulty. The Conference Board of Canada looked at the costs associated with reducing that. I think that's something we need to look at as well.
Additionally, there's the flexibility. That whole week...if you work one day of that whole week, you lose your entitlement for that entire week, so then you only have 14 weeks left. We also think that can be changed, in terms of the flexibility in the calculation. It's important and, honestly, there should be an increase in the amount people receive. It is very little, even when they access it, if they are able to access it.