Posted: Tuesday, 3 November 2009
The Canadian Labour Congress welcomes and urges all parties to support this important Bill.
The Bill would modestly increase EI benefits to 55% of earnings – as now – but calculated on the basis of the best 12 weeks over the previous year. We welcome the proposed move to the best 12 weeks, but we continue to urge a benefit rate of at least 60%. Members should recognize that the average benefit today is a very low $348 per week – barely enough to support even a single person above the poverty line. The maximum benefit today is $150 less per week than it was in the last recession.
The Bill would expand access to regular and special benefits to 360 hours. As members will be aware, the CLC has long called for such a uniform entrance requirement of 360 hours across the country.
Statement to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Regarding Bill C – 280