Mr. Speaker, since the government introduced its proposed unemployment insurance reform, seasonal workers have continuously demonstrated their opposition to this reform, which is unfair to this class of workers who are employed only at certain times of the year.
Fishery workers, forestry workers, construction workers, tourism workers and many others have been holding demonstrations, making speeches and collecting money to fight in their own way against this reform that will leave them penniless.
For them, the unemployment insurance reform is just the opposite of a magic solution to unemployment. While UI benefits provides economic stabilization to these workers, the proposed reform will free the government of its responsibility toward those whose livelihood is tied to a regional and seasonal economy.
The government is sending the people in the regions a plain and simple message: "It is your problem, not ours".