Mr. Speaker, last year, more than 25 per cent of the contributions paid by employers and employees into the UI fund, or $5 billion out of $18 billion, were used for purposes other than providing assistance to the unemployed. The Minister of Finance will divert another $5 billion this year, and more than $5 billion next year to reduce his deficit at the expense of the unemployed.
Why does the minister persist in calling UI premiums money that no longer goes back to the unemployed and which, in fact, constitutes a hidden tax?