Launch of EI Consultations on Flexible and Inclusive Support for Parents and Family Caregivers

Today I have some good news to share about Canada’s Employment Insurance program.

EI is a pillar of our social safety net. And it’s always been there to support people when they need it most.

Over the past year, our government has made real improvements to EI:

• We’ve temporarily extended the maximum duration of EI Work-Sharing Agreements from 38 weeks to 76 weeks.
• We’ve extended and expanded the Working While on Claim pilot project.
• We have also eliminated the EI eligibility requirements for new entrants and re‑entrants.
• Instead of having to accumulate 910 hours of insurable employment, claimants newly entering the workforce or returning after an absence of two or more years must now meet the same eligibility requirements as other claimants in the economic region where they live.

 Throughout the summer, federal, provincial and territorial governments also conducted consultations to strengthen training under Labour Market Transfer Agreements, in order to help unemployed and underemployed Canadians.

• Our government has announced a number of other measures to improve EI, including making service delivery for EI more responsive, improving access to EI call centres, and reducing the waiting period from two weeks to one, starting in 2017.

That being said, while we’ve made important progress, we still have a lot of work to do.

And as you have noticed, my colleague Mark Gerretsen, MP for Kingston and the Islands, is with me today for this important announcement.

Mark is a strong advocate of EI and it’s a pleasure and a privilege to have him here with me this morning.

So today, it’s my pleasure to announce the launch of EI consultations on maternity, parental and caregiver benefits as well as unpaid leaves under the Canada Labour Code.

Our government wants to provide more flexible maternity and parental benefits and leave, and more inclusive, fair and effective caregiving benefits and leave.

We recognize that every day, Canadian families are facing pressures that are both increasing and changing. Some Canadian workers are struggling to balance the demands of work and family life.

Whether it’s caring for a newborn child or a parent with health problems, these responsibilities represent a major source of concern for our Canadian families. 

For this reason, we want to improve EI to make sure that Canadians get the help they need, when they need it.

So starting today, until November 4^th, Canadians are invited to share their views online through our consultations portal, or through social media using the hashtag “#ConsultingCanadians.”

We are inviting all Canadians, particularly parents and caregivers, to join this important conversation and to share their views and experiences.

We also want to hear from employers, groups, unions, academics, the medical community and the provinces and territories on this subject.

In conclusion, we want to hear from as many people and groups as possible, because the changes we are going to make will impact all Canadian families.

These changes to the EI program will help middle class Canadians and those working very hard to join that middle class.

In the upcoming process, we hope that providing fair, flexible and effective benefits will give parents and caregivers better options for the kind of support they need to take care of their families.

We will report back to Canadians on what is said ‎during these consultations. Your feedback, your input, will inform implementation of our earlier mandate commitments.

We will post a summary report on feedback received through the online consultations as well as other input we receive.

I know that by joining forces with all Canadians, we will strengthen our social safety net, and create EI benefits that better support the needs of today’s Canadian families.

Thank you. I think my colleague Mark may have a few remarks to make.

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