Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank our witnesses.
Mr. Laliberté, I want to begin by thanking you for your testimony. The employment insurance commission plays a fairly important role in the administration and governance of our system. I also want to thank you for mentioning some of the avenues that can be considered to strengthen the employment insurance system, such as the number of weeks, the benefit rate, or, if I understand correctly, the possibility of increasing the number of workers eligible for the system that they pay into, as we must not forget.
My next question is about something a little less known, but very important. Last year, the government committed to reviewing the employment insurance appeal mechanism. We forget that, in this system, decisions are made and appeals are undertaken. The appeal process has been hit hard by recent changes. The government had committed to reviewing this mechanism to return it to its original tripartite format.
I believe the commission has been asked to work on this or to provide input. I would like to know where things stand.
The unions and the organizations for the unemployed were really very happy to hear that the government was considering this change. However, they have told me that the approach may have moved a few steps back.
What do you know about that and what are you working on?