Canada's NDP

Skip to main content

September 27th, 2012

EI changes need to be studied: NDP

As Canadians across the country are confronted with new Employment Insurance rules, New Democrats are calling for the Human Resources Committee to study the issue, in order to ensure that the new rules work for Canadians.

“We are hearing a lot of concern about what these changes to E.I. will mean, not just for the workers themselves, but for the local economies and communities still struggling in the wake of the last recession,” said Employment Insurance Critic Anne-Marie Day (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles).

The motion, which will be debated today, calls for a study on the impact E.I. changes will have on seasonal workers and industries, the local workforce, wages, and communities. The study would also examine whether these changes will address unemployment within rural communities or will lead to a population drain.

“The Conservatives introduced these E.I. changes without proper consultations with workers and communities,” said Ryan Cleary (St. John’s South—Mount Pearl), who introduced the motion. “These changes are having an impact on workers and families in my riding and across the country. I think we owe it to them to make sure E.I. is working in their interest and that is what this study will do.”