Thank you.
One thing is for sure: the status quo is no longer an option. I think we all agree on that and, correct me if I am wrong, the witnesses have said so too. That is why we are conducting this study. It is a concern to realize that, in September, very soon actually, most of the temporary measures will come to an end. I was just going to mention that the 26 weeks of sickness benefits will begin in 2022.
The Supreme Court has held that the objectives of employment insurance “are not only to remedy the poverty caused by unemployment, but also to maintain the ties between unemployed persons and the labour market”.
I am now going to talk about the funding of the employment insurance program. In annex 1 to the budget, I read that it would be back in balance in seven years. That is a concern, because first, there will be a huge deficit, then a surplus in the second year, and then a return to balance. Of course, it depends on the premium rates paid by employees and employers, which can change. That has been proven. However, when the program was established, the government also played a role in funding it.
Mr. Céré, is that a possible solution? Could that be reinstated?