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February 26th, 2019

The NDP is Calling on the Liberal Government to Stop Discriminating Against Women and Reform Employment Insurance

OTTAWA – NDP MP Brigitte Sansoucy (Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot) joined members of LE MASSE (Mouvement autonome et solidaire des sans-emploi) to call for a fair and universal employment insurance program that does not discriminate against women, and for a complete reform of the program.

“Employment Insurance eligibility criteria are flawed and sexist, among other issues, like the black hole problem and the maximum of 15 weeks of sickness benefits. We know that women are more likely to be in precarious employment, and this makes them ineligible for Employment Insurance. Fifty percent of men are eligible for EI, but only a third of women are. It’s wrong,” says Sansoucy, the NDP Social Development Critic. “This so-called feminist Liberal government has done nothing to reform our country’s outdated, discriminatory and sexist employment insurance program.”

The employment insurance fund was created in 1940, as a safety net for workers who contribute to the program. Yet, 60% of contributing workers cannot access the benefits they need.

“It’s time the Liberal government respected its promise and ensured that all workers in need can access EI,” added Sansoucy.