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OTTAWA Millions of Canadians who pay into the federal employmentinsurance program will soon face a new set of rules on EI benefitsand what jobs government will expect them to accept to receivepayments. Here s an explanation of the EI program, the reforms beingconsidered by government and what it means to Canadians: What s wrong with the EI system? The government notes that current and projected labourshortages across the country have provinces and businessessearching for temporary foreign workers to fill the positions. Withthat in mind, the Conservatives want to retool the EI system tobetter connect Canadians with available jobs. The Harper government says there are currently disincentives in the system that can punish EI recipients foraccepting work while receiving benefits, and actually discouragesthem from searching for employment. Currently, Canadians living in different regions of thecountry with similar labour market conditions can receive differentbenefits. For example, benefit rates are calculated differently forworkers living in Abbotsford, B.C., and Windsor, Ont., despiteliving in areas with similar unemployment rates. The governmentsays changes are needed to ensure more regional fairness andprovide equitable treatment to people living in areas with similarunemployment rates. Federal data show there are more than 70,000 fraudulent EIclaims every year resulting in overpayments. Over the last fouryears, the government has written off nearly $125 million in EIoverpayments it figures cannot be recouped from Canadians. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business whichrepresents more than 109,000 small-business owners across thecountry believes too many Canadians are abusing the EI system.Dan Kelly, a CFIB senior vice-president, says changes are needed toget more Canadians working to help fill labour shortages. There is a serious erosion in Canada s work ethic, Kelly said. There s a group of Canadians who need a nudge back into theworkforce. What changes are being proposed? The Conservative government s 425-page omnibus budget BillC-38 amends sections of the Employment Insurance Act relating tothe kinds of jobs EI recipients are expected to take to receivebenefits. The changes would give cabinet the power to define whatis suitable employment and the types of positions people on EImust accept if they want benefits. However, the government says thedetails will be released after the bill is approved by Parliament. There is no bad job. The only bad job is not having a job, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty told reporters last week. You dowhat you have to do to make a living. The Harper government, however, is promising that under theproposed reforms, Canadians won t be forced to relocate or takejobs outside their skill sets to receive EI benefits in the future.But the government s refusal to disclose its plans has sparkedwidespread concern that Canadians will lose their EI benefitsunless they reluctantly accept jobs for which they reoverqualified or move outside their regions to find work. The government will spend $387 million over two years tobetter link benefits to regional labour market conditions. Thechanges are part of a plan to remove the disincentives toaccepting all available work while applying for or receiving EIbenefits (including reducing the benefits clawback when workingwhile on EI), and ensure that Canadians living in regions withsimilar unemployment rates receive similar benefits. We don t want to have government programs that discourage peoplefrom engaging in the workforce at a time when we are going to needmore and more people working in the country, Flaherty said. Ottawa will encourage more seniors, youth, aboriginal peopleand persons with disabilities to work, and promises to give themthe supports they need. The federal budget said some of the looming changes will strengthen and clarify what is required of claimants receivingEI benefits. The reforms will take into account an individual spast history with the EI program. The changes are expected to target repeat claimants, includingpossibly forcing them to take lower-paying jobs than Canadiansreceiving EI for the first time. Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley won tconfirm or deny the changes will slowly scale back benefits forrepeat claimants, saying only that details will be released in thecoming weeks. "What I can assure you is (the new rules) are going to be fairand they're going to be reasonable, Finley said in an interviewaired Saturday on CBC Radio s The House. "We're going to help(Canadians) find work, better, faster, but they're going to have tomake sure they are doing what they need to do to find a job. Employment Insurance basics: Q: What is Employment Insurance? A: It s a federal program that provides workers who areinvoluntarily unemployed with financial compensation and some meansof subsistence until other employment is found. Q: Who pays for it? A: The EI plan is financed by premiums collected from workers andemployers. The accumulated funds cover both the benefits paid tounemployed Canadians and administrative costs. Workers pay EIpremiums of $1.83 for every $100 of wages until the annual maximumsalary of $45,900 has been reached. The maximum contribution amountis approximately $840. Q: How long do you have to work to be eligible to collect EI? A: In most cases, Canadians must have worked a minimum of 420 to700 insurable hours prior to unemployment, depending on where youlive in Canada and the unemployment rate in the region. Q: How much can I receive? A: The basic benefit rate is 55 per cent of your average insuredearnings up to a maximum insurable amount of $45,900, meaning youcan receive a maximum payment of $485 per week. Low-income familiescan receive a higher benefit rate. Q: How long can Canadians receive EI benefits? A: From 19 weeks up to a maximum of 45 weeks, again depending onthe unemployment rate in your region and amount of insurable hoursaccumulated. Twitter.com/jasonfekete. I am an expert from medical-rehab-equipment.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Electric Mobility Wheelchair Manufacturer , Aluminum Wheelchairs, Foldable Wheelchair,and more.
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