Madam Speaker, I now sympathize with my friend from Edmonton when my friend from Lévis suggested I should be on the other side. We are always saying he should be on the other side. I have an understanding as to how confusing that might be.
The shift from weeks to hours will be beneficial to our region. With our amendments to fix some of the mechanical problems in the bill I believe it will be good for our region.
I recognize we will be taking a net $1.2 billion out of the system. I know the member is aware that there are many people who regularly draw benefits. I am not talking about fraud or misuse. I am talking about the fact that a program was put forward which allowed people who could not make enough money in a year to live on to supplement their income. That is what a part of the program is about. There are people who draw on the system who cannot make that argument. We may disagree on how many.
As the member knows, $800 million is going back into employment programs which will affect the income levels of people in the system. Therefore I believe we can take $1.2 billion out of the system and not negatively affect the program.
I have been engaged in the debate to make sure it happens at the top, not at the bottom. That is what the amendment is all about.