Thank you, Mr. Chair, and good afternoon to my colleagues.
Thank you to all the witnesses who are on my screen here this afternoon. Thanks for what you do for our country.
My questions will go to whoever is the appropriate person. I'm not sure who would answer. First, though, I have a few comments. I'm going to ask some questions on division 27, which is extending the temporary measures for seasonal claimants from October 30, 2022, to October 28, 2023.
We realize that the pandemic has exposed the need for modernized employment insurance. I think we have all seen in our ridings how it exposed weaknesses in the program. We need an EI program that aligns with the realities of today's labour market and is capable of quickly responding to changes in the economy, as we've just seen, obviously, in the pandemic.
To inform long-term development of a plan for the future of EI, budget 2022 reiterated the government's commitment to continuing consultations with Canadians on what needs to be done in the EI program to meet the current and future needs of workers and employees. The temporary nature of the proposed one-year extension to the support measures for workers and seasonal industries provides the flexibility to complete consultations before implementing a permanent approach for this important group of workers.
As a sitting government member, I certainly recognize the seasonal employment industries. I can name many, whether it be tourism, fishing or what have you. It's an important part of Canada's continued prosperity. The temporary measures to support workers in seasonal industries ends in the EI act on October 29, 2022. The proposed amendments would extend the current legislative provisions for one year, until October 28, 2023. This will enable eligible workers in the 13 targeted EI regions with highly seasonal economies, currently covered by the temporary measures—including workers in the seasonal industries whose seasonal claiming pattern was disrupted by the timing of temporary COVID measures—to continue to access up to five additional weeks of EI regular benefits in their off-season.
Again, this is for whoever is the appropriate person to answer. What are the biggest gaps and issues with EI that you discovered due to the pandemic? What lessons have been learned for improving EI specifically, as we are focused on modernization?
Thank you.