New Democrat employment insurance bill passes second reading

OTTAWA – A New Democrat bill designed to make employment insurance more accessible passed second reading in the House of Commons yesterday.

“The passing of this bill is good news for all Canadians. I look forward to having the Standing Committee examine the real benefits of C-280,” said MP Carol Hughes (Algoma–Manitoulin–Kapuskasing), who introduced the bill. “The other two opposition parties made the right decision in supporting our bill.”

Bill C-280 is designed to make employment insurance more accessible to workers by lowering the eligibility threshold to 360 hours of insurable employment. It will now be examined by the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

“We will continue working to extend the social safety net to all workers. Workers know that New Democrats defend their interests and that employment insurance is a priority for us, especially during the economic crisis,” concluded Ms. Hughes.

New Democrats are leading the fight in the House of Commons for the Canadians who have been hit hardest by the current economic recession by presenting bills and motions to reform EI, protect pensions and severance pay and protect consumers from unfair banking practices.

The only MPs to vote against C-280 were the Conservatives.