What I would say, first of all, is that we are grateful that, in light of the expanded EI eligibility, the premiums were frozen. We don't have an indication of what that will look like outside of that, and it is very concerning. You heard from colleagues at CFIB last week. Their figure is that our members are $170,000 in debt right now.
The Canadian chamber partners with Stats Canada on something called the Canadian survey for business conditions. The most recent survey data came out in March. I would note that was before the third wave that has hit many jurisdictions across the country. Survey data from that indicated that 50% did not know how much longer they could operate without going into bankruptcy and that 40% of those who had under 20 employees could take on no more debt, 29% of those in the size range of 20 to 100 couldn't take on more debt and, of those with over 100 employees—so we're getting into our medium and bigger sizes—almost one in four cannot afford to take on any more debt.
As we look at this, I know this is only one piece, but it's a bigger puzzle of any number of things. I would note that already our businesses did take a hit with the recent rise in the CPP premium rates within the program as well.
Thank you.