Mr. Speaker, unemployed Canadians across the country are continuing to suffer.
When the government introduced EI reforms in 1996, approximately 40% of the unemployed did not qualify for EI. Today as a result of that reform nearly 72% of the unemployed are on welfare because they no longer qualify for EI assistance.
Will the minister tell the House that the act must be restructured to ensure Canadians that when they need EI assistance EI will be there for them?