Finance committee  It is because too many expectations have been created across Canada, particularly among the seasonal workers in eastern Canada. A lot of people have been waiting since 2021-22. There have been too many statements, too many speeches, too many throne speeches and ministers' mandate letters.

Finance committee  Wow. Merci.

Finance committee  Certainly, but that is not the priority. The priority really is eligibility. Too many people do not have access to employment insurance. However, the aspect that can be worked on to raise the benefits received is the maximum insurable, whether it is the maximum wage—

Finance committee  Okay, I will start over. I was asked a question about the replacement rate, which is 55%. I would note that the rate was revised downward during the reforms in the 1990s we are all familiar with. That percentage definitely has to be increased. To my mind, the priority is the maximum insurable earnings, which has not seen a very pronounced upward curve.

Finance committee  Thank you for your question, Mr. Ste‑Marie. The employment insurance scheme was essentially torn down in the 1990s and we are still living with that; we are stuck with it. The scheme was locked down. One of the first things that must be fixed is eligibility. This is about the number of hours that must be accumulated in order to be eligible for employment insurance.

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Ladies and gentlemen, members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, thank you for inviting me to appear before the committee. I represent the National Council of Unemployed Workers. You will understand that the word "unemployment" is not a word or a fact we are afraid of.

Finance committee  For my part, Mr. Ste‑Marie, I'd like to thank you for your excellent questions. It's true that now is the time to solve the EI problem. Now is never the right time for the government. At the height of the crisis, we were told that it couldn't be done because it was a crisis and that it would be done after.

Finance committee  Thank you very much for the questions, Mr. Ste‑Marie. Indeed, I have the impression that, otherwise, we wouldn't be talking much about employment insurance. At the same time, I can understand the shame of the Liberal government for not taking action. I can understand the shame of the Conservatives for imposing these budget cuts in the 1990s, which explains why we're stuck with such a botched system.

Finance committee  Thank you, honourable member. You're right, there is a deficit in the employment insurance fund, a crisis deficit. This isn't the first time in its history that the unemployment insurance or employment insurance fund has run a deficit following a crisis. The premiums paid by workers and employers fund the EI program and will therefore reduce the deficit.

Finance committee  I will answer questions later. Thank you.

Finance committee  Ladies and gentlemen members of the committee, thank you very much for this invitation, which arrived somewhat at the last minute. I was invited earlier today at around 2 p.m. I have prepared some notes to make a presentation on the relationship between the employment insurance program, the required changes we're hoping for, and the gaping void in the budget and in this budget implementation act.

Finance committee  That's right. The employment insurance system, as it is called today, was reshaped through austerity measures in the 1990s under the Mulroney government until the Axworthy reform, which reduced the protections of the employment insurance program. The program was literally put in a straitjacket and has never been released, except during the current crisis.

Finance committee  That's right. There are also all those who have temporary jobs. That's a lot of people. Some people find themselves unemployed between two contracts. I'm also thinking of all those who have part-time jobs, who have trouble accumulating hours of work and who will find themselves unemployed, with very short benefit periods.

Finance committee  Okay.

Finance committee  Currently, the number of EI claimants is approximately 2.3 million. I mentioned the fact that 35% of the workforce is in precarious employment. So it quickly becomes hundreds of thousands of people. That's a lot of people. There are also all indigenous communities that are landlocked in EI administrative regions where the unemployment rate may be lower than it is in the communities.