Finance committee  Mr. Chair, members of the Standing Committee on Finance, thank you for inviting us and for the opportunity to share our thoughts on the emergency measures put in place by the Canadian government in response to the health crisis. I am the spokesperson for the Conseil national des

Finance committee  The government needs to do some serious thinking about these issues. I am told that the budget will be presented at the beginning of March. I would be surprised if, on the issue of eligibility criteria or eligibility requirements generally for the employment insurance system, we

Finance committee  First of all, Quebec and Canadian society has long expressed a need for sickness benefits. When a comparison is done, it is not to our advantage. When we compare Canada to similar countries, we see that it is the worst in terms of the protection provided by its sickness benefits

Finance committee  Yes, I think so. You know, Canada is the only OECD country that has a variable eligibility criterion based on place of residence. There are 62 eligibility criteria for 62 economic regions, and the unemployment rate is recalculated every month. That is not normal. These administra

Finance committee  Mr. Chair, I would like to thank you for this opportunity to speak with members of the Standing Committee on Finance as part of the pre-budget consultations. I have come to talk to you about the employment insurance program, of course, and I do so as the spokesperson for the Cons

Finance committee  Since last Thursday, the reaction in Quebec seems to be quite unanimous. We mentioned the media, and the commentators and columnists from all the newspapers. But we have also heard from employers. Last Thursday, the chief economist of the Quebec Employers Council said that things

Finance committee  Certainly. Take the example of a carpenter making $20 per hour in his region. He is a seasonal construction worker and he is laid off. Starting in the first week in which he is unemployed, he has to take a job at 80% of his previous salary. Starting in the seventh week, he has to

Finance committee  I certainly do have some comments. Sir, the bill in no way changes the eligibility requirements or the benefit period. That is not the issue. Once people are receiving employment insurance, three classes of claimants are being created and they do not have the same rights and requ

Finance committee  Let me give you an example. Not so long ago in a region of Quebec called Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean, the unemployment rate was about 13% or 14%. Today in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean, where there is a lot of seasonal activity, the unemployment rate is 6%, not far off full employment. Wha

Finance committee  Let me ask you a question instead, sir. Do you know the average length of a claim for employment insurance benefits in Canada. On average. Do you know?

Finance committee  Fine. Mr. Chair, I will make my comment through you, so that I can use a question of my own to reply to what was said. What is the average length of a claim for employment insurance benefits in Canada? Let me give you the answer. It is 20 weeks.

Finance committee  Of course I am going to answer. I assume that is why my microphone is now on. In Canada, the average length of a claim for employment insurance benefits is 20 weeks, or four and a half months.

Finance committee  In theory, a claim can last for 36 weeks. Under the eligibility rules, people can get up to 36 weeks of benefits. The average length is 20 weeks and 75% of claimants do not reach the end of their benefit period. You don't want to listen to my answer, sir?

Finance committee  Seventy-five per cent of employment insurance claimants find a job. You are basing your reform on prejudice.

Finance committee  When I hear statements being made based on prejudice, I want to reply with figures that are a little more scientific. This makes no sense.