Carla Qualtrough

[COVID-19 Pandemic, March 25th, 2020]

Madam Chair, we have intentionally created this new benefit separate from the EI system so that we can continue to process claims that were filed before March 15, and we can continue to process claims for other benefits, like maternity and parental benefits, since March 15. Any claim that has been filed since March 15 will be channelled into this new Canada emergency response benefit, and any EI claim that is filed between now and when this new application for this benefit arises will be also channelled into the new benefit.

I can assure members that we have redirected every single possible resource to Service Canada. I do not have the exact number, but I think it is about 1,300 people who have been redirected to work on processing these claims and answering these questions. We have had an enormous volume of EI claims. We have had an enormous number of questions to Service Canada. We are doing our utmost to answer them and respond as quickly as possible.

[Employment Insurance, March 12th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure everyone in this House that we are determined to support workers through the COVID-19 crisis. We have taken steps, as of yesterday, to waive the waiting period for sickness benefits. We are looking at means to help workers who do not qualify for EI. We will make sure that it is easier for workers to make strong public health choices to ensure that they do not have to work and that they can still pay their bills and support their families.

[Employment Insurance, March 12th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, protecting the public health and safety of Canadians, especially workers, is paramount to this government. That is why we immediately responded to the threat of COVID-19. This includes measures implemented government-wide. We also eliminated the waiting period for EI sickness benefits. We continue to look at other measures to help Canadians who are affected, including those who are not eligible for EI sickness benefits.

[Employment Insurance, February 28th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, as I said, we are committed to making this pilot project permanent. We will, of course, work with all members of the House to improve all our EI programs and ensure that all workers get the benefits they need.

[Employment Insurance, February 28th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, we are committed to making this initiative permanent for seasonal workers. We recognize the unique challenges they face. That is why, in 2018, we announced $230 million to better support seasonal workers. We will continue to support Canadians who work in seasonal industries and help them cope with their off-season challenges.

[Employment Insurance, February 18th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

We all agree with Émilie Sansfaçon. Her courage is truly remarkable.

We have made a number of significant changes to the EI system over the past four years and we are continuing to improve it. In our platform, we promised to increase sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks, and that is what we will do.

[Business of Supply, February 18th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I can assure everyone that this conversation is long overdue. Our government has invested significantly in ameliorating the entirety of the EI system, and this is indeed the next step forward. We know that there is always more we can do, and we intend to do it.

[Business of Supply, February 18th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, my thanks to my colleague for his question. By way of clarification, this is a first step for our government. The benefits period was 15 weeks and we have increased it to 26 weeks. We are really open to the discussion about how to improve the employment insurance system in a compassionate way. We understand that, for many, the present system is not working. The fact that 36% of people take more than 15 weeks shows that we must go further. We are continuing to work with the other parties in the House to ensure that our fellow citizens are supported in difficult times.

[Business of Supply, February 18th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, of course I sympathize, and my heart goes out to everyone suffering from cancer and other illnesses that impact their lives and their ability to earn their livelihoods and provide for their families.

We do have to update this law. It has been way too long. I happen to have been born in 1971, so I can say it has not been changed in my entire life.

We need to look at the average number of weeks people are taking, whether for cancer or for other things. We have to look at the complementary benefits that are put in place and we have to make sure we listen to constituents and organizations like the Canadian Cancer Society itself, which is calling for 26 weeks.

As I said, we are always open to further discussions on this issue, but we committed in our platform to 26 weeks, and that is currently the direction we are heading.

[Business of Supply, February 18th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, for a number of years, and before and during the election, we heard from such organizations as the Canadian Cancer Society, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and even the Conference Board of Canada that 15 weeks was not enough. Almost 36%, a third, of Canadians on EI sickness benefits go beyond the 15 weeks. Clearly, there is a need to go further.

We also know there are a different number of weeks of benefits. For family caregivers, it is 15 to 35 weeks, depending on whether they are caring for a critically ill child or an adult. The point is that we try to match the benefits with the particular circumstances the benefit is trying to address.

We are committed to 26 weeks because that is what we heard from experts in different organizations. Right now, that is where we are. Of course, we are always open to making improvements to the EI system. It has been too long already.