Mr. Speaker, on Monday, I spent time with 60 seasonal workers in Grande‑Rivière, in my riding in the Gaspé region. Together, we realized that this budget does not say anything about EI reform. There is, however, an increase in the number of weeks for long-tenured workers. That is nice for them. They might be able to make it to the end of the year.
However, in my riding, people are seasonal workers. It is not their fault. It is the nature of the work that is seasonal, not the workers. These people experience the EI spring gap year after year. They work from morning to night, cracking crab, facing insecurity and uncertainty, wondering if they will have enough employment insurance benefits to make it to the next season.
Can my colleague listen to my heartfelt appeal and work with me to convince this government to finally address this injustice and ensure that seasonal workers in the Gaspé region and elsewhere finally get an EI system that works for them?