Human Resources committee  It means that they will no longer have access to EI benefits. The impact on the provinces might actually be minimal, depending on whether those people get social assistance or not. That's one of the potential consequences. In broad terms, we must also remember that the federal government transfers a certain amount of money to provincial governments through labour market agreements in order to assist with the training of individuals who qualify or not for employment insurance.

Human Resources committee  The government actually wants to make sure the act is amended so that it applies to all Canadians consistently.

Human Resources committee  Let me say this again. The EI program has a rather restricted mandate. It provides income support for finding a job and for other circumstances as well. The eligibility criteria are quite strict. I think that the qualifying and benefit periods can only be extended under very special circumstances.

Human Resources committee  First of all, I would say that most Canadians don't receive any extension to their benefit period or their qualifying period. They have to have been working during the 52-week qualifying period to be able to qualify for EI, and they have to meet the eligibility criteria. In terms of how we will apply it when it comes into force, it will apply to all those who are establishing a new benefit period.

Human Resources committee  Yes, I did mention that these extensions are limited to a number of circumstances. By default, the benefit period is 52 weeks and the qualifying period is also 52 weeks. I did mention when I was doing my introductory remarks that people who are incapable of work because of illness and during pregnancy can receive the extension.

Human Resources committee  No, because the person will not be available for work, which is a prerequisite to having access to EI.

Human Resources committee  I'm trying to figure it out.

Human Resources committee  The law, as it is applied now, says that if people qualify for benefits, they will be able to get their benefits for the period for which they qualify. If they are not in remand and they lose their jobs and are looking for work, they will be able to qualify for EI. Clearly, if they are in remand, for the period they are in remand they will not be able to collect benefits, because they will not, obviously, be working.

Human Resources committee  They will have their period extended, yes, if found not guilty.

Human Resources committee  It's always difficult to make a comparison about both circumstances, but clearly, if an individual is dismissed with cause, they will not be eligible for EI.

Human Resources committee  If you are dismissed with cause, it would be a reason for not being able to collect EI.

Human Resources committee  As you mentioned, people who are not found guilty will get the extension period. That becomes a decision on the part of the criminal system as to whether they are found guilty or not guilty.

Human Resources committee  That's correct.

Human Resources committee  It would be a person who decides to quit work and be unemployed for the period during which he or she is looking for new work. In a lot of cases, students will not be eligible for that reason. They will quit their jobs to return to university or school. All those individuals who do not meet the number-of-hours requirement to qualify for EI, all those individuals who have worked, let's say, fewer than 600 hours over the last 52 weeks, would not qualify for EI.

Human Resources committee  I will comment that for regular benefits that is the case. I think for other types of benefits you do not always have to be available for work. I think there are some cases....