Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good afternoon to our witnesses. It's been very interesting testimony. I thank you for that.
My questions will be for you, Mr. Strickland, from the Building Trades Unions. I certainly want to acknowledge first the great working relationship I have with Steve Schumann and Matt Whelan. We've worked on different initiatives together.
I'd certainly be remiss without saying that the MLA in my riding here is Arlene Dunn, who was a former director of the Building Trades Unions. I talk to Arlene almost on a weekly basis here.
We've been very excited—speaking about projects for trades unions—about the recent federal announcement of $57 million here in Saint John—Rothesay for the small modular reactor project. We think that holds great hope for the future, certainly not only for southern New Brunswick but all of Atlantic Canada.
My questions for you, sir, would be as follows. I'm wondering if I can get your thoughts on the recent additions and changes to EI outlined in budget 2021, ensuring that severance and other separation monies do not delay unemployment insurance benefits.