OTTAWA – Debate begins today on New Democrat Carol Hughes’ (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing) bill to reform employment insurance, improving access and benefits for laid-off workers.

Bill C-280 levels the playing field for any Canadian thrown out work by setting uniform access requirements and removing regional inequalities in EI access. Under the current system, regional unemployment rates effect EI access in different parts of Canada.

“Right now, the EI isn’t fair for the kind of job losses we’re seeing,” said Hughes. “Regional unemployment rates changing dramatically, day to day and week to week. EI needs to be able to better respond to this challenge.”

In addition to increasing the number of people who are eligible to receive EI, the bill improves benefits for seasonal workers by reducing by two the number of weeks used to calculate benefit rates.

“This is a small change that will really help people who make most of their money in short periods of time, such as seasonal workers,” said Hughes. “This Conservatives government won’t act, but New Democrats will.”

“These changes are vital for people losing their jobs. The reality of the recession is hitting home and hardworking people are struggling to find ways to support themselves and their families,” said Yvon Godin (Acadie—Bathurst), New Democrat critic for Employment Insurance.

“A major concern for these families is getting access to employment insurance. Conservatives have delayed and refused to deliver much-needed reform,” said Godin. “This New Democrat bill will help hard-hit Canadians get fair access to fair benefits.”