Human Resources committee  It's difficult to comment about what is exactly unfair and fair. Everybody has different views about what could be unfair and fair, but clearly, what I could say is that there are really limited circumstances under which the EI act provides for an extension of the benefit period and the qualifying period.

Human Resources committee  I'm not aware of any MOU between HRSDC and—

Human Resources committee  I'm not aware if there is one or not.

Human Resources committee  To get access to the sick benefit, a claimant needs a medical certificate certifying that they are unable to work for that period.

Human Resources committee  No, I think we'd just ask the individual to provide medical certificates.

Human Resources committee  When we apply the sickness benefit, the only requirement is for the claimant to provide proof that they have.... We receive certificates.

Human Resources committee  It's always difficult to make a comparison about both circumstances, but clearly, if an individual is dismissed with cause, they will not be eligible for EI.

Human Resources committee  If you are dismissed with cause, it would be a reason for not being able to collect EI.

Human Resources committee  As you mentioned, people who are not found guilty will get the extension period. That becomes a decision on the part of the criminal system as to whether they are found guilty or not guilty.

Human Resources committee  That's correct.

Human Resources committee  It would be a person who decides to quit work and be unemployed for the period during which he or she is looking for new work. In a lot of cases, students will not be eligible for that reason. They will quit their jobs to return to university or school. All those individuals who do not meet the number-of-hours requirement to qualify for EI, all those individuals who have worked, let's say, fewer than 600 hours over the last 52 weeks, would not qualify for EI.

Human Resources committee  I will comment that for regular benefits that is the case. I think for other types of benefits you do not always have to be available for work. I think there are some cases....

Human Resources committee  Oh, sure.

Human Resources committee  No, because the person will not be available for work, which is a prerequisite to having access to EI.

Human Resources committee  I'm trying to figure it out.