Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I apologize to the witnesses in advance for this.
I'd like to move the motion I gave notice of earlier today. I believe the clerk has circulated it:
That the chair report the following to the House: That the committee recommends that the Government of Canada freeze CPP and EI increases for small and medium-sized enterprises to help offset the financial burdens caused by labour shortages and high inflation.
I will briefly speak to it.
EI, in particular, has been consolidated into general revenues. It is running a massive surplus. It's much higher than needed to support the program. It's at a time when small businesses and workers are suffering from the costs of high inflation. Putting on a higher payroll cost and reducing paycheques in the next calendar year will only harm an already fragile economy.