Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for your testimony, everyone. With your expertise and knowledge, you have contributed a great deal to our study, which, I would remind you, concerns the employment insurance system. The system has been changed over the years. The program has been adjusted. It used to be called the unemployment insurance system, but now it is known as the employment insurance system. It is good to remember as well that only workers and employers pay into the system. I think it is important not to lose sight of that as we proceed with our study.
If one person gave a good description of the situation and sort of summed up all the testimony we have heard to date, it is Ms. Harper.
I think you illustrated the problem very well and put it very much in perspective. Witnesses have talked about compassionate care benefits, sickness benefits and the fact that the system needs to be changed to meet needs in the regions. I will tell you why. You talk about your region, the east coast. Two weeks ago, I toured the regions of Quebec. We have the same problems you mentioned today.
We know that the system generally discriminates against women. Yet women use compassionate care benefits and sickness benefits more than men. All the witnesses who have testified have said that the system is very discriminatory against women.
I have a question about that. Mr. Cohen, you represent a not-for-profit organization. I do not know how your organization is funded, but in order to defend workers, I would imagine that you need to consult a range of legal and other experts. You said during your testimony that you had turned to the court challenges program. That program has now been abolished.
How do you stand up for the rights of the people who consult you?