Mr. Speaker, I think if we had 40 more minutes there probably would not be too many more new ideas coming forward from the Bloc. Members of the Bloc Quebecois have repeatedly tried to mix and match figures to suit their particular purposes when it comes to discussing this particular issue. They have not wanted to look at the true facts.
The Bloc Quebecois fails to mention that the recent analysis on EI coverage clearly concludes that the EI program is indeed meeting its key objective of providing temporary income support between jobs to workers in Canada. It concludes that about 78% of the unemployed who lost their jobs or quit with just cause were indeed eligible in 1997; not 43% or 42% as alleged by members opposite, but indeed 78%.
The employment insurance system is a major tool to help unemployed Canadians, but it is just that. It is a tool. Contrary to what the Bloc and the opposition insists, employment insurance is not a panacea and is not for all unemployed Canadians who are not automatically covered. For example, people who are not entitled to EI are people who have never worked, people who have quit their job to go back to school, or people who are self-employed and do not pay EI premiums.
What the Bloc has consistently failed to mention is that in addition to the significant measures under the EI program to help put Canadians back to work who are indeed eligible for this particular insurance, the Government of Canada is also providing additional benefits and support through the youth employment strategy, through the Canadian opportunities strategy, through the transitional jobs fund, through the post-TAGS program in many areas of Atlantic Canada and the Gaspé of Quebec, and indeed active employment measures through the Part II funds of the Employment Insurance Act, as well as the new hires program.
What members have failed to mention is that we are putting $1.1 billion in employment insurance premiums back in—