Madam Speaker, although the parliamentary secretary has said that his government has made changes, he is not saying that, only last year, the employment insurance program produced a surplus of $3 billion, which belongs to the workers, while he is proposing changes worth some $300 million. The figure appears big, but compared to surpluses of $3 billion, it is a problem.
While people need to have their benefits calculated on the basis of their 12 best weeks, the program continues to take the 14 best weeks into account. People in ridings like mine—and certain Liberal organizers as well—have said on television and radio and even in the papers, that the Liberal government did not go far enough. That is what the people of the Gaspé and Newfoundland and Labrador have said as well.
Now, I agree with the parliamentary secretary's remark that, for the past 10 years, EI premiums have gone down. In fact, the Liberals have responded for 10 years to the call by the Conservatives in this regard. Still, no real changes have taken place, although change is what the people want.