Madam Speaker, I too come from a riding that is very hard hit by unemployment. I see the negative impact and the ramifications that high unemployment has.
I received a letter from an owner-operator of a quick service restaurant who told me that he has to pay EI premiums on employees' hours from day one, yet these young people cannot claim EI. That creates a surplus in the fund that the employer cannot ask for in return. I see this as just another problem that is created by this whole system.
Many times I have had the opportunity to say that the Reform Party is not a national party or a true national party. When the hon. member says that he is not prepared to support the motion put forth by my hon. colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche, once more I see that Reformers are ignoring the maritimes and the Atlantic provinces.