Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the negative effects the unemployment insurance reform will have on women and young people.
Statistics show it is women and young people who represent almost two thirds of part time workers. Therefore, they will be hard hit by the series of new measures.
Here are some examples: the eligibility criteria are tougher, the benefits are reduced, the maximum benefit period is reduced, the claimant must contribute starting from the first hour, frequent users are penalized, the eligibility criteria for maternity benefits are tougher, and the list could go on and on.
This reform demonstrates only one thing: the government's blindness, which shows through in its desire to cut, slash and destroy social programs. Making the unemploymed shoulder the burden of the deficit alone is repugnant, and unfortunately, that is what the proposed unemployment insurance reform will do.