Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, we have implemented a major employment insurance reform. We feel that the reserve is absolutely necessary. I believe it is important that there be such a reserve.
Before we came to office, when the Conservative government was in power, the employment insurance fund went from a surplus to a deficit of $6 billion. A reserve is necessary because it reduces the need to increase premiums in a full-blown recession.
We must also see to it that we can provide benefits when they are most needed—