Campaign to protect Employment Insurance continues

New Democrats present petition with 25,000 signatures and 10,000 post cards

As part of the ongoing campaign against the Conservative changes to Canada’s EI program, NDP Employment Insurance Critic Anne-Marie Day and Labour Critic Alexandre Boulerice held a press conference to present the concerns of tens of thousands of Canadians.

“Today we are presenting 25,000 signatures and more than 10,000 post cards that were sent to us by concerned citizens, and still more are coming in,” said Day (Charlesbourg--Haute-Saint-Charles). “These signatures demonstrate the anger and frustration resulting from these reforms.”

Jean Lacharité from the CSN and Michel Ducharme of the FTQ joined the two Members of Parliament for the press conference. Since these misguided reforms were first announced, the NDP has been studying their impacts, consulting with all those affected, and raising their concerns in the House of Commons.

“In the coming months, we’ll keep holding public meetings and continue to grow our campaign,” said Boulerice (Rosemont--La-Petite-Patrie), who said he was disappointed in yesterday’s meeting between the eastern delegation and Minister Diane Finley. “The minister showed total disregard toward the representatives who came to meet with her. She refused to offer any concessions on her punitive reform.”