Norah McRae, by videoconference from Victoria, British Columbia, Patrick Snider, Anne-Marie Fannon, Kristine Dawson, Gail Bowkett and Judene Pretti made statements and answered questions.

Brigitte Sansoucy moved, — That the Committee undertake a study of a minimum of six meetings on the Employment Insurance sickness benefits program to examine especially, but not exclusively:

a) if the program meets the real needs of the claimants;

b) the impact of the length of the benefits on the claimants and on their recovery;

c) the program accessibility;

d) the population affected by this program and their characteristics;

and that it hear, not limited to this list, witnesses from the health sector, former claimants or groups representing them, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development; and that it report on its conclusions to the House.

Wayne Long moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Mona Fortier, Richard Hébert, Wayne Long, Robert J. Morrissey, Ramesh Sangha — 5;

NAYS: Steven Blaney, Rosemarie Falk, Brigitte Sansoucy, Mark Warawa — 4.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.