Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development.
Yesterday, the minister said, and I quote: "I will confirm this: Starting January 1, 1997, an additional 500,000 Canadians will be covered by unemployment insurance, because they will now qualify for coverage under this system". I must be dreaming. Did the minister spend time in his constituency office? Did he look at the bill? Did he read his department's documents? These documents are clear: 500,000 more people will pay premiums, but not one additional person will qualify.
Does the minister recognize that paying premiums does not equate being covered by the system?