Welcome to all of our witnesses. Thank you very much for being here.
Everyone agrees: the current employment insurance program does not fit the needs. Proof of this is the fact that 43 percent of the unemployed are unable to benefit from it. This must be frustrating for those who have paid into it. It is as if you paid for home insurance, there was a fire and you were unable to collect anything. On top of that, as you have stated, this money goes back into the economy; it is an economic stimulant. I find this very unfortunate.
My first question is for Mr. Battle. You outlined a new way of looking at things. A previous witness told us that it would be really interesting to separate employment insurance from maternity leave. You stated that 90 percent of parental leave benefits are used by women. I see a correlation here.
Are women using these benefits because they are the ones who care for their families? Do you believe that these two things should be separated?