As long as there’s an opposition myth circulating that the Conservative government doesn’t have a plan for employment insurance, let’s take a quick look at reality.

Bill C-50 was introduced in the House of Commons on September 16, 2009 by the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. The bill will amend the Employment Insurance Act and increase benefits to temporarily extend the duration of regular benefits for eligible workers.

The Employment Insurance Act currently provides benefits for regular unemployment, fishing, work-sharing and special benefits that include sickness, maternity, parental and compassionate care. Unemployment benefits are intended to replace a portion of eligible workers’ wages, provided their unemployment is involuntary and their jobs were lost through no fault of their own. These benefits account for the greatest proportion of employment insurance (EI) expenditures.

Bill C-50 introduces several qualifying periods during which claimants who meet certain criteria can receive regular unemployment benefits for a longer period than the standard maximum under the act. These amendments are, however, designed to taper off. Shorter and shorter extensions will apply, until such time as the duration of benefits returns to the normal length under the act. Bill C-50 stipulates that temporary extensions of various lengths must begin by September 2010 and those extensions will terminate in fall 2011.

These measures are aimed at unemployed individuals who have paid EI premiums for a significant period of time and who, although they may have received benefits in the past, are not regular users of the EI program. The government estimates that Bill C-50 will benefit approximately 190,000 of these “long-tenured workers.”

Our government remains flexible and is determined to adapt to prevailing economic conditions. With more Canadians who are the victims of circumstance and suddenly out of work during this recession, the government is ready to help. These concessions are temporary because we believe Canadians want to work and unemployed workers will get themselves back on track. When a helping hand is needed, a government should be prepared to assist, yet avoid becoming a source of income that replaces meaningful employment.

This is a proud nation of people who want to bring home their own bacon, and until that happens, we’re here to help.

-30-

The audio version of Garry's October 12, 2009 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here