The National Council of Unemployed Workers (NCUW) denounces the confusion caused by the cryptic language of the federal budget.
“When the budget was released yesterday, we, like many civil society actors and political commentators, understood that the government was making significant changes to EI. This is indeed the case, but the measures are temporary. The government must stop going back-and-forth, and make those measures permanent, at once, “said Pierre Céré, spokesperson for the CNC. “We feel we were trapped by political jargon, as the government remains in a logic of small steps. We must go further. The time is now! “.
“It is a good thing that the government is establishing a universal eligibility standard of 420 hours, but we are informed the day after the budget that it will only be in effect for a period of one year. It is a good thing that the government extends EI sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks, but this will not take effect until the summer of 2022. Why do you need to wait? ».
The National Council of the Unemployed Workers is calling on the federal government to reform the entire EI program, using the temporary measures as a starting point. The NCUW has brought together more than 270 organizations, unions, municipalities and elected officials around Resolution EI-21, calling for such a reform.
“The time is now. The government knows the problems that need to be fixed and has all that it needs to go ahead. Consulting does not mean delaying the process, and I must reiterate a fear that we have had for a year now, namely that the reform of EI will end up like electoral reform.”