Statement made on 29 January 2009 by Senator Art Eggleton
Hon. Art Eggleton:
Honourable senators, millions of Canadian workers pay Employment Insurance premiums their entire working lives, giving little thought to what would happen if they lost their jobs tomorrow. However, as the global crisis deepens, tens of thousands of Canadians facing layoffs are learning the cruel truth.
The current EI eligibility rules mean that barely half of the country's unemployed today — and fewer than one quarter in the area that I come from in Toronto — are eligible for benefits. Those lucky enough to qualify often receive far less than poverty level incomes, and for almost everyone scrambling to find work as the economy crumbles, benefits run out far too soon.
The changes to EI announced in the budget on January 27 — a five-week extension to all regular benefits for the next two years and extra money to extend EI benefits for workers in long-term training — are welcome, but these changes will not help enough of the unemployed.
I realize that many of the current provisions were brought in by previous governments but we are in tough economic times and if these issues are not addressed, then the most vulnerable Canadians will suffer.
Under the current eligibility rules, only 40 per cent of Canadians are eligible to receive EI support. As a result of the geographic inequities in the current system, persons living in Calgary, Toronto or Vancouver are required to work more hours than people in other parts of Canada before they can qualify for EI.
In Ontario, for example, a mere 36 per cent of unemployed Ontarians are eligible to receive support. These Canadians are dedicated people who work hard and when they need the government the most, the government is not there.
If they lose their jobs, it should not matter which part of the country they live in; everyone should have the same access to EI benefits.
Honourable senators, we must also remember that if they are ineligible for EI, they cannot take advantage of EI training support programs. Although the increase in funding for training proposed by Budget 2009 is welcome, the majority of vulnerable Canadians will not be able to access these training supports. As we know, these programs are crucial to helping workers adjust to the changing economy.
Finally, honourable senators, I am disappointed that the budget did not address the amount of support given to those who are lucky enough to access funds. At the current EI benefit level, weekly benefits are based on 55 per cent of average earnings over the previous 26 weeks to a maximum of $447. This amount is simply not enough.
Families still must pay bills; they must buy groceries; and they need to purchase items to meet the needs of their children. The current level of benefits makes it difficult for families to afford the basic necessities.
Today, I call on the government to amend Canada's tattered Employment Insurance program to ensure money goes into the hands of those who need it most.