Statement made on 20 November 2008 by Senator Elizabeth Hubley
Hon. Elizabeth Hubley:
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. For years we have heard talk about a surplus in the Employment Insurance system. That is because during periods of economic growth, more people are working and the fund takes in more premiums. At the same time, it pays out fewer benefits because unemployment is lower. The surplus has grown in recent years, reaching tens of billions of dollars. Of course, that is because the Canadian economy has been experiencing the longest period of growth in its history, beginning in 1993, some 15 years ago, when the Liberal government came to power.
Can the Leader of the Government in the Senate tell us whether the government is committed to honouring its implicit contract with Canadians who paid premiums into the EI program? Can the leader guarantee that during a recession the EI surplus will not be used to maintain the level of benefits in other programs? In other words, can the minister state categorically that this government will not cut the EI program as it looks around for ways to avoid a deficit? I am referring to more than just benefit levels. Will the government make a commitment that it will not increase eligibility requirements or cut additional EI programs that assist unemployed people to retrain and find new employment?
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