Mr. Speaker, I fear that the member for Scarborough Centre's speaking notes may be out of date. She mentioned that the budget would extend employment insurance benefits in 12 regions. Since then, under pressure from the NDP, the Prime Minister has added three more regions to that benefit extension. We are now up to 15. In spite of that, Regina continues to be excluded from this extension of EI benefits.
To put that in context, there are eight EI regions across Alberta and Saskatchewan. At this point, seven of them are included in the benefit extension and only Regina is left out.
I wonder if the member for Scarborough Centre could shed any light on that decision and the rationale for leaving out Regina.