The current minister's predecessor is a sorry figure. He is the true culprit in this whole affair, but the minister is trying to cover up for him. As my father used to say “The one who is holding the bag is just as guilty as the one who is filling it up”.
If discretionary powers do not offend these people any more than that, I will give them a few examples.
A young nurse worked night shifts at the hospital, and when she did, she got a 35 or 45 cent an hour premium for an eight hour shift. She became unemployed, but she did not refuse any calls. From time to time, she got a call to come to work, and the young woman, who had just graduated from nursing school and who wanted to gain experience and eventually find a full time job, said yes. Whether it was a day shift, an evening shift or a night shift, she went to work.
When she filled out her employment insurance card, she reported working on that particular day. Her hourly wage at that time was, say, $15 an hour. She wrote on the card that on that particular day she worked an eight hour shift and earned eight times $15, or $120. Human Resources Development Canada realized that it was not true, that she did not earn $120 but $122 because she had a premium for working the night shift.
She received notices and was given fines. She had a public servant after her for six months and had to pay penalties. She was not given any chance even though the mistake was made in good faith and her hourly wage was indeed, say, $15, as it is generally the case for nurses.