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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 201

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 29, 2023 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 201 - May/29/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland
  • May/29/23 7:48:57 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I want to remind the House, but especially my Bloc colleague, that during the pandemic, the government put an additional $27 billion into the EI system to offset all the expenses the system had to incur. The federal government supported our EI system. I can also say that what Canadians want is a strong economy and jobs. That is the most important thing. Our government and our country are in a really good position today when it comes to—
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Context: House Hansard - 201 - May/29/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland
  • May/29/23 7:50:34 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, the $27 billion we have invested in our EI system is not a small amount. That is a lot of money. It was important and necessary; it was the right thing to do. We were there for Canadians during the pandemic. Today, we continue to be there for Canadians, and that includes through the EI system. The good news is that the labour market is very strong today in Canada. Yes, we understand that we need an EI system. However, Canadians do not want employment insurance; they want a good job. That is what we have today in Canada.
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Context: House Hansard - 201 - May/29/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland
  • May/29/23 7:54:36 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, our government understands the importance of the EI system. That is why we invested in EI during the pandemic. We continue to—
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Context: House Hansard - 201 - May/29/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland
  • May/29/23 8:10:00 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, our government absolutely understands the importance of the EI system. That is why, during COVID, we contributed an additional $27 billion to the EI account to support EI, so EI could support Canadians in this—
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Context: House Hansard - 201 - May/29/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland
  • May/29/23 8:10:49 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I am afraid that that is simply an inaccurate explanation of what has happened with the EI account. EI supported Canadians in a significant way during COVID and in the aftermath, and that is why the government transferred $27 billion to the EI account to support EI. Whenever the country goes through an economic downturn, whether it was 2008 or the COVID recession, the EI account needs to move back into balance—
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Context: House Hansard - 201 - May/29/23
Hon. Chrystia Freeland
  • May/29/23 8:11:54 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I cannot resist saying that I am not sure quickies are permitted in the House of Commons. The EI system is very important. That is why we resisted pressure to lower contributions. That is why we are going to continue supporting the system that is so important for so many Canadians.
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