Status of Women committee  Yes. I think changing the requirements so that more folks are eligible would be the biggest thing. Especially for farm women, if we're working off the farm, we're coming home to work for our families and we're coming home to work on our farms. Often part-time work is the only thing that is open to us.

Status of Women committee  I would suggest that the statistics are out there somewhere. In my case, I was an exception to the rule in that I was the farm manager and David worked off the farm. In most cases, it's the gentlemen who work on the farm and the women who work off the farm.

Status of Women committee  I have none that I know of, but that's quite possibly something I can find.

Status of Women committee  I think those figures were suggested by some of the other folks who are looking at the issue. I think the big thing to understand is that these benefits have not increased in many years, and they do not reflect the amount of money that it costs to live today.

Status of Women committee  I did speak to it somewhat when I gave the example of my friends--

Status of Women committee  --in the Annapolis Valley who had employed their daughter on the farm. Many farm families employ their children. They're not necessarily partners within the farm. Sometimes it's part of succession planning. It makes sense for them to be employed and to receive a wage for what they're doing.

Status of Women committee  I can't say that I know that. I'm fairly new to the position, so I'm not sure if there has been some talk of that proceeding. I think it is, in particular, the opportunity to start over. I think the farm community is very cognizant that there are a lot of farmers in trouble right now.

Status of Women committee  Yes. The Canadian Agricultural Skills Service was a federal program that ran from 2005 to January 2009. It was to provide farm families with the opportunities to educate themselves and discover new opportunities. It was great. There is no talk of renewing it. Speaking from my own perspective, that's what saved us.

Status of Women committee  Thank you very much.

Status of Women committee  I would like to thank the chairperson and committee members for this opportunity to present the National Farmers Union policy and concerns on the topic of employment insurance and its impact on farm and rural women. The National Farmers Union is a non-partisan, nationwide, democratic organization made up of thousands of farm families from across Canada who produce a wide variety of commodities, including grains, livestock, fruits, and vegetables.