Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister in the absence of the Minister of Human Resources Development.
High student debt, a 16.5% unemployment rate and diminished opportunity. This is the legacy for the young people in the gallery. Liberal reforms to the EI system now require young people and students entering the labour force to obtain 910 hours of work to qualify for employment insurance.
In light of the fact that the first contact with the workforce for so many young people is part time or of short duration, how can the minister justify this policy?