Human Resources committee  We are definitely concerned about service to Canadians. In particular we're very concerned about the call centre wait times and accessibility. There are two layers of data that you can look at. You can look at how long people wait once they get in the queue and whether or not the

Human Resources committee  Service to Canadians is obviously something that's very important to Service Canada, as is ensuring quality service. We obviously have service standards, and we monitor them very closely, on Internet, on telephone, and in person. Generally speaking, those service standards are al

Human Resources committee  Benoît can correct me if I'm wrong, but it's actually 81.4% now, and it's from application to being put in pay. Am I saying that right?

Human Resources committee  He clearly used the word “eligible”. I heard him say “eligible”. That's the correct way to say it.

Human Resources committee  Mr. Chair, you can rest assured that when an individual calls with a dire needs issue, we address that right away.

Human Resources committee  They can go into a Service Canada centre as well. There are means of getting in touch with us. They can come to me. If there is a dire needs case, we address that.

Human Resources committee  It's no problem. I get a lot.

Human Resources committee  They are put in pay. They are paid within 28 days. That's the term, from the date of their application and put into pay, so they are receiving funds within 28 days.

Human Resources committee  We're actually a little bit over 80% now.

Human Resources committee  I don't have the exact number as to how many would have gone beyond that.

Human Resources committee  The speed of pay in the past has not been as good, that is true. But we are now definitively over 80%, so the proportion—

Human Resources committee  I can't confirm that number right now, but I could get back to you as to whether that's correct or not.

Human Resources committee  Service Canada definitively tries to meet the service standards that are set out there, and we try to do that in the most efficient and effective way possible.