Human Resources committee  That is correct. It could be one period of 35 weeks or it could be claims spread over five years. So it's a cumulative total.

Human Resources committee  That's correct.

Human Resources committee  Yes, all that's taken into account is the use of regular benefits, so that would not include use of all the special benefits. Included in special benefits are maternity, parental, sickness, and compassionate care benefits. In addition, I would add that our work-sharing program is

Human Resources committee  Those weeks of EI use from any of those categories are not included in this calculation of 35 weeks. It's simply the use of regular benefits.

Human Resources committee  As I indicated in my remarks, fortunately one of the advantages is that we're using the same definition we've used for the existing economic action plan measure or the career transition assistance, so it's a definition that's already programmed into our system. I'll ask Philip

Human Resources committee  Louis, did you want to comment?

Human Resources committee  As far as measures concerning women are concerned, there are two important provisions in the bill. The first provision contains criteria which allows a person who has paid premiums seven years out of ten to have been out of the job market for three years. Those years could includ

Human Resources committee  Discussing politics is not my role. The government decided to adopt a measure targeting workers affected by the economic downturn. As I said, other measures in the Economic Action Plan are more general in scope, such as the five weeks of extra benefits.

Human Resources committee  There are two aspects to your question. The first has to do with implementing the measures. Usually, new measures are meant for new clients, but in this case, the measure applies to existing clients. That's a reach-back of nine months. The typical way would be to look forward to

Human Resources committee  That's correct. It would be nine months prior to royal assent, and as far back as January 4.

Human Resources committee  Do you mean around the date in January versus some other date?

Human Resources committee  This is intended as a targeted measure to deal with those who have worked for a considerable length of time and made little use of EI. There are other measures in the economic action plan that have broader application, including the five weeks and the investment in training. So t

Human Resources committee  You're right. That's a typo.

Human Resources committee  First, it is difficult, even impossible, to segment, by province and sector, the number of claimants who would be covered by these measures. Indeed, as my colleague just explained, the numbers are based on a forecast of the national unemployment rate and not regional or industry

Human Resources committee  The purpose of a pilot project, as I said, is to test a measure for application for future implementation in EI. So the preferred method here—the more relevant method and the one that was used with other similar measures in the economic plan—is to do it on a legislative basis bec