Two aspects of the EI system need to change for our workers, most of whom are seasonal.
First, the criteria to qualify for EI need to be reviewed. Workers have to have 700 hours of insurable employment to be eligible for EI benefits, but the majority of them can't get that many.
Second, we need to rethink the number of weeks of benefits so that the workers can make it to May at least.
Those are the two things that are the most challenging right now.
The issue of the variable unemployment rate needs to be reviewed. It's currently at 4.5% in Charlevoix. Based on that criterion, for the past two years, people have to have worked 700 hours to qualify.