SIMCOE, ONTARIO, February 22, 2010—The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced the launch of the new Employment Insurance (EI) self-help Web videos now available on the Service Canada Web site.
“The Government of Canada is making it faster and easier for Canadians to get their benefits,” said Minister Finley. “Through these Web videos, Service Canada staff guide clients through the online Employment Insurance application process.”
The Government of Canada is continually searching for new and innovative ways to improve its delivery of programs, services and benefits to Canadians. Through Service Canada, the Government is providing better access and faster, friendlier services.
Intended to complement the existing information available on the Service Canada Web site, the ten new Web videos cover topics such as setting up your own “My Service Canada Account,” “Applying for Employment Insurance,” “EI Rights and Responsibilities” and “EI Special Benefits,” to name just a few.
This initiative is part of the Government’s commitment to make the EI program more responsive and more supportive for Canadians. In January, Employment Insurance special benefits were extended to self-employed people.
Other temporary measures the Government has undertaken to help those hardest hit by the economic downturn through Canada’s Economic Action Plan include providing longer EI benefits, more efficient service and support for training, and protecting jobs through Work-Sharing agreements. The Government has also frozen EI premiums for 2010 at the same rate as 2009.
What is great about the Web videos is that they will help people avoid some of the most common errors made when applying online. This new initiative is designed to bring more Canadians online and to better prepare clients to self-serve.
Service Canada continues to deliver on its goal to provide Canadians with one-stop, personalized service they can access however they choose—by Internet, by telephone or in person.
For more information on the Web videos and on other government programs, services and benefits, contact 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232), TTY: 1-800-926-9105; go online at www.servicecanada.gc.ca; or visit one of over 600 points of service in communities throughout Canada.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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This news release is available online at www.actionplan.gc.ca.
