I propose to waive the remarks to allow the committee more time to ask questions. There are just a couple of things I want to say in opening.
First of all, in a very difficult week for those of us from Nova Scotia, I want to acknowledge how tough what we've been through has been on our families back home.
It's a Friday today. At ESDC we would call that day 40 of the week of March 16. We've been through quite a run.
Because I know members have often asked these questions, I'll give you the latest statistics on the CERB as of last night. Some 7.12 million Canadians have applied for the CERB. That's over one-third of Canada's labour force. About $22.3 billion in benefits have been paid out. Because some people are now on their second cycle, a total of 9.65 million individual claims have been made, and 9.51 million of those 9.65 million claims have already been paid.
I will be happy to answer your questions now. I will not use the 10 minutes I was given, I prefer to leave the time for you to ask questions.