Welcome and thanks to all three ministers for joining us here today.
My questions are directed more to Minister Mihychuk and her portfolio.
First of all, in terms of employment insurance, we have heard from witnesses, as well as stakeholders, including representatives from the labour movement, that the current regional threshold arrangement for EI does not make sense. Many workers, including those in the resource sector, are finding themselves excluded. We're particularly concerned about the exclusion of unemployed workers in Edmonton and southern Saskatchewan, both regions that have been hit hard by the drop in oil and gas prices and major layoffs in those sectors. Of course, this was raised today in question period on numerous occasions. Given the sharp rise in unemployment, we'd like to hear what the government's plan is to extend these benefits as soon as possible, given that these workers are hurting significantly, like the workers in the other 12 regions identified in this budget.