New Democrats call for extension of EI benefits

OTTAWA – New Democrat Employment Insurance Critic Yvon Godin (Acadie—Bathurst) is calling on the Minister of Human Resources to help the more than 500,000 unemployed who have still not found work and who have exhausted their employment insurance benefits.

“Without an effective job creation strategy, the unemployed will need government assistance. The government cannot simply offload the problem onto the provinces,” said Yvon Godin. “People who are unemployed and without employment insurance benefits still have to pay their bills and pay rent. Since social assistance benefits are just above the poverty line, there is cause for concern about these families.”

The most recent analysis by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows that:

• Over 800,000 unemployed persons do not qualify for employment insurance benefits;
• The benefits of over 500,000 unemployed persons will soon run out.

Yvon Godin is calling on the minister to examine potential solutions, such as extending benefits and relaxing eligibility criteria.

“Until jobs become available, it is our duty as MPs to help these unemployed workers,” said Mr. Godin. “When the Liberals raided the employment insurance fund to make it look like they were good managers, they were not thinking of future economic crises. The $57 billion that disappeared at that time is needed now to help workers.”