Human Resources committee  That's what the data shows as regards the refusal to accept suitable employment. But changes in people's behaviour were not measured. Some people opted not to apply for benefits rather than deal with the conditions imposed, mainly being required to accept any employment that pai

Human Resources committee  I have a natural tendency to talk fast. I'll do my best to slow down. I have just 10 minutes, so I'd like to get out as much as I can. A study by the parliamentary budget officer revealed that just 38% of unemployed workers were eligible to collect EI benefits. That sounded the

Human Resources committee  Good afternoon. I'd like to thank the parliamentarians for inviting Mouvement autonome et solidaire des sans-emploi, or MASSE, the organization I represent, to appear before the committee today. MASSE brings together organizations in Quebec that advocate on behalf of unemployed

Finance committee  It is not necessarily to the advantage of the unemployed.

Finance committee  Yes. Things were already going badly. Access to the program has just been made harder. The process is becoming more difficult and more painful for the unemployed.

Finance committee  There will certainly be a decrease in benefits. The elimination of arbitration boards and the new mandatory administrative review process and the Social Security Tribunal alone are already discouraging the unemployed. Some of them will decline their right to appeal because of the

Finance committee  Yes, absolutely.

Finance committee  No. We feel that that removes the burden from business owners and businesses to deal with unemployment. This is not necessarily a welcome measure given that less money will go into the pockets of the unemployed. Furthermore, we do not believe that this measure will really lead to

Finance committee  Not particularly, no.

Finance committee  Yes, absolutely. I absolutely agree with you. It is extremely difficult and painful for individuals to find themselves without a job, to lose their job. It's very difficult psychologically. Not only do these individuals lose their jobs, an environment, a lifestyle and a routine,

Finance committee  I couldn't tell you. I don't know.

Finance committee  You said that employment is a fundamental right. That is essentially your question. I believe rather that the fundamental right is the right to life and to income support. If income occurs through employment, that's wonderful, but life is sometimes fraught with difficulties. Une

Finance committee  Was that question for me?

Finance committee  That is a good question. In my opinion, the board was originally created simply to silence the labour movement's demands for an arm's length organization and more rigorous management of the funds in order to make sure that money would not be taken from the surplus. My hypothesis

Finance committee  Yes.