We definitely can.
We're aware of these issues and we have already implemented measures to make employment insurance more flexible.
Right now, budget announcements are being made for next year. That's fine, but it's not too late to do some good. The expectation is that, by August or September 2021, based on some projections, we can even make the single eligibility requirement permanent. The eligibility requirement based on various unemployment rates in the 62 regions needs to be dropped for good. We need to stick with a single eligibility requirement for both regular and special benefits.
The temporary measures will end in September, and those who do not qualify for employment insurance are very concerned. I'm thinking especially of the self-employed. Fortunately, the CRB has been extended to 50 weeks, but that will all end in September. What happens after that?
The department has a mandate to review the employment insurance program with the goal of expanding coverage to include the self-employed. September is just around the corner. I was expecting to see a proposal to revise the program to cover self-employed workers. I was expecting it to be similar to the CRB, which already exists.
The crisis is not over and the transition to recovery is barely under way. We don't know the future, but we do know that the temporary measures will end in September. The self-employed are the first to feel it. We have a serious issue.
I think of all our friends in the world of arts and entertainment, and of all the self-employed everywhere. That's a lot of people. We need to think about this and put permanent measures in place for employment insurance. We're very anxious to see coverage expanded to include the self-employed.