First, I'd like to make a comment just for clarification.

We recognize the value of internships for students and people who are associated with recognized educational institutions. We also believe there is a very important component of internship programs that should apply to persons who are not necessarily participating in educational institutions but have a requirement to get work experience. For example, there are some member companies of our group that, as a community service, allow new immigrants to work in their organization to get them accustomed to working in a Canadian environment and to understand how work is done in Canada. That is done on a short-term basis.

Those kinds of programs are designed to benefit the overall community. We believe it's important that everybody has an opportunity to understand how work is done in Canada.

With regard to the provision of internships, organizations are pleased to do it. They believe that the balance of having academic and practical experience is very important to persons who are trying to advance their ability to move forward in the workplace. Employers are willing to extend themselves to provide practical experience, give employees some direction, supervise their activities, and impart knowledge that they would not otherwise get in an academic situation, nor would they get it if they were unable to take advantage of an internship if they were not connected with an educational institution.

There is a great deal of social value involved in ensuring that Canada develops and retains a robust internship arrangement. We believe it's a very important part of public policy, which will advance the ability of educational institutions to work together with stakeholders who are representing the interests of people who need access to training and knowledge. We should do everything we can to encourage the existence of internships.

If the regulation of interns becomes so onerous that they are otherwise considered to be employees, then the unintended consequence could be that the numbers of internship programs may be diminished. Employers will opt for simply hiring employees rather than extending themselves to the training and development of people who may not necessarily be retained in their organizations.

There is a very important balance here. We recognize that we have responsibilities to anybody who is on our property, and we expect that we will honour those obligations. The only thing we want to make sure of is that it's done appropriately and that it will advance the willingness of employers to engage interns.

Thank you.

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