Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Canadian Construction Association welcomes this opportunity to present its views and recommendations. CCA is the national voice of the non-residential construction industry, representing some 20,000 individual member firms located in every region of

Finance committee  Well, if that's my only choice, I'd like to see it also with the elimination of the employer multiple, which, for some reason, people believe came over with the ark. A while ago employers and employees were sharing the cost of that program. I'd like to see that first. I'd also l

Finance committee  No, we have not done any cost computations on that. However, I think the research people both for this committee and for the standing committee on human resources have done something, because both committees have recommended.

Finance committee  There would be an effect when employees were working for multiple employers during the same period. That often happens in our industry, particularly in the unionized sector.

Human Resources committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. My name is Michael Atkinson. As the president of the Canadian Construction Association, I hold the chief staff position with the organization. With me is Jeff Morrison, who is the director of government relations and public affairs with the org

Human Resources committee  Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, I'd like to leave this committee with two points. First, the onus of demonstrating that the current measures are insufficient to protect organized workers and that, therefore, reform is necessary must lie with those who propose such reforms and not wi

Human Resources committee  It's a very quick comment. There is a provision in the code right now that allows you to go before the board and get a temporary ban on replacement workers. It's there. The case has not been made to amend the code. The burden of proof is on those who want to put an outright ban

Human Resources committee  I was going to say those employees are still allowed to work elsewhere. In the bill that's being proposed, even the employees who don't agree with the union can't cross the picket line.

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We certainly welcome the opportunity to present our views and recommendations. As mentioned, I am the president of the Canadian Construction Association, which is the national voice of the non-residential construction industry. We represent some 20,000 f

Finance committee  I think I should point out first that this new EI rate-setting mechanism was put in place by the Liberal government--

Finance committee  --so I think it's an apolitical feathering of the nest that's been going on for some time. But in all seriousness, it is very disturbing to my members, 90% to 95% of whom are small business employers, to have what amounts to a payroll tax and then find out that the government i

Finance committee  That's certainly one of the suggestions that's been made, but I think we would have to see the details and know exactly what the mix of representation on that governance board would be. There are a number of other concerns about the EI fund that are somewhat beyond the control o

Finance committee  First of all, I think it's fair to say that public-private partnerships are only one tool in the toolbox. They aren't a panacea. They aren't necessarily the best way to go in meeting all of Canada's infrastructure needs. As I am sure you are all aware, in order to go to a true

Human Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Canadian Construction Association welcomes this opportunity to present its views on the proposed new governance and rate-setting reforms for the employment insurance program. We are the national voice of the non-residential construction industry, rep

Human Resources committee  I would echo those comments. I also think there are reasonable concerns that have been expressed about the low limit of the reserve. However, I have a concern about what happens on the other end in the event that the fund generates huge surpluses in that reserve. If the reserve