Mr. Speaker, the NDP motion proposes a universal threshold for EI, regardless of regional rates of unemployment.
EI has been designed to respond to various labour market changes. For example, the government is sensitive to the ongoing situations resulting from lower oil prices and is carefully monitoring the impact across Canada, and the duration of EI benefits has increased in all four economic regions in Alberta.
Could the member comment on the need for EI to respond to variable labour market conditions?