Human Resources committee  No, it means that out of all the claimants, there are 30% or so who satisfy the definition of a “long-tenured worker”. The letters are sent to those who meet the criteria of that definition. They are not necessarily people who will exhaust their benefits; it is really those who satisfy the definition of a “long-tenured worker”.

Human Resources committee  I do not recall what was said at the time, but as indicated in the letter explaining how costs are calculated, 30% of claimants meet the definition of “long-tenured worker” and of that number, 20% will exhaust their benefits.

Human Resources committee  No. When evaluating costs on an annual basis, for 2006, we see that approximately 120,000 claimants meet the definition of “long-tenured worker”, and will exhaust their benefits.

Human Resources committee  We used data that goes back to 2006, as we explained. We then extrapolated the implications using the unemployment rate. We also have other information. We sent letters to people who met the criteria set out in our career transition assistance initiative. At that time, the only criterion was the contribution to the EI system during 7 out of 10 years.

Human Resources committee  I believe we sent a response as to how we arrived at 190,000. I do not know whether it was distributed to the committee members.

Human Resources committee  I do not have that data with me right now. I am not sure whether that is something that is possible at this time.

Human Resources committee  Yes.

Human Resources committee  To get that information, we have to implement the entire process; our system has to be ready to provide benefits to eligible individuals when the legislation is passed by Parliament. We had to change systems to be able to do that, which takes some time. The information in our database on the premiums paid by individuals is an integral part of our benefits delivery system.

Human Resources committee  No.

Human Resources committee  If they are apprentices, they have to meet the requirements set out in both parts of the definition of a “long-tenured worker”. For example, if an individual satisfies the definition of a “long-tenured worker” and if they received benefit weeks while on training, those weeks will not be included in the 35 weeks in the last 5 years before their EI claim.

Human Resources committee  Furthermore, the individual has to satisfy the definition of a “long-tenured worker”, that is, they must have paid at least 30% of the maximum EI premiums for 7 years, and they must not have received more than 35 weeks of regular benefits in the last 5 years.

Human Resources committee  Yes, we agree.

Human Resources committee  Yes.

Human Resources committee  No, there is no preferential treatment. The only thing that needs to be clarified is that when calculating the number of regular EI weeks that an individual has accumulated in the last 5 years, the weeks of approved training are not included in the 35 weeks, in much the same way that special benefits do not count either.

Human Resources committee  All of the requirements of a long-tenured worker are the same for everyone who is eligible for additional benefits. That is not changing. There is no special treatment for any kind of unemployed worker. We simply want to clarify what is taken into consideration when the number of regular benefit weeks received by unemployed workers is calculated.