Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the member who has been speaking about a phenomenon I am seeing every day in my riding. I am seeing many more people who are no longer eligible for employment insurance.
Over the last couple of years $20 million has been removed from my community that used to come in to workers who were unable to find work, or who were without work for a period of time. That is $20 million that would have gone into small businesses, into the community, and is no longer there because we have been carving out the employment insurance system and putting it all in this growing surplus.
I would like to ask the member how it is that he is able to justify with his motion the further hollowing out of this important income support program for people who are unable to find work, or who are without work for a certain period of time.