Madam Speaker, I do not disagree with the hon. member opposite that there are some discordant notes and most of them are being played from that region of this House of Parliament.
As with any bill there is going to be debate across the country but I would only say that the provisions of the bill responded to a need that committee members heard when they travelled across the country just over a year ago. They heard a need for reforms to the unemployment insurance fund and the act, not only to the underlying principles but to the way the service is delivered. This piece of legislation goes a long way to providing that service delivery.
The second question concerned what principles of social equity this was based on. The provisions of the bill will go a long way to ensure there is greater equity among all Canadians. I would quote again as an example the changes from a minimum number of weeks to hours to take in part time workers.
I am not sure if I misunderstood what the hon. member said or if he misunderstood what I said. In terms of using the employment fund to reduce the deficit, I went to great lengths to say that is not in fact what the reserve will be used for. If that was his suggestion, I will say once more that the reserve in the employment insurance fund will not be used to reduce the debt and deficit. The surplus which is there will exist as a contingency. If it ever becomes large enough it will be used to reduce premiums. That would benefit both the employers and the employees which is quite an equitable solution.