Ottawa, Ontario - “Our Government is committed to improving the Employment Insurance (EI) Program. We have introduced common sense changes to ensure that the program remains fair, flexible and supports Canadians as they look for work. This is also important as we are facing skills and labour shortages across the country, which means we need all of our talent at work.
“These changes are about helping people find a job. They are about making sure that people understand their responsibilities when they are on EI. They are about ensuring that Canadians always have the first crack at job opportunities.
“I want to be clear that Canadians will not be forced to take jobs outside their local area, or jobs for which they are not suited. The personal circumstance of each claimant will always continue to be taken into account.
“We are aware that Canadians in some regions, including Quebec, rely heavily on seasonal industries and there may be difficulty finding available work during the off-season. For those who are unable to find work, EI will continue to be there, as it always has been.
“With a focus on the economy, we have created over 900,000 jobs, are investing in skills development and supporting job creation in the private sector. In addition to those efforts, we will make sure that the EI Program continues to be responsive to the needs of workers and their families. And we’ll make sure that it provides the support needed when Canadians are unable to find work.”
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For more information:
Alyson Queen
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
