MP Allen Positive about Benefits of EI Changes

April 01, 2009

TOBIQUE-MACTAQUAC – An additional five weeks of Employment Insurance benefits all unemployed workers in Tobique-Mactaquac, giving them extra time to find jobs during this tough economic climate, says MP Mike Allen.

As part of its Economic Action Plan, the 2009 Budget, the Government of Canada passed legislation on March 12 to increase the maximum number of weeks individuals can receive EI from 45 to 50. The change applies to all regular claimants whose benefit period did not end before March 1, 2009, and it will be in effect for anyone claiming regular benefits before Sept. 11, 2010.

“The intent of the extension is to put all EI regions on a level playing field since some areas of Canada were under the Extended EI Benefits pilot project and already receiving the extra five weeks,” explains Mr. Allen.

The pilot project targeted regions with the highest unemployment rates.

One regional boundary splits the riding of Tobique-Mactaquac, resulting in some workers falling under the pilot project and others not. “This was very unfair for some areas of our riding, especially in areas of York County, where people work in the same industry or business and could virtually live across the road from each other and fall under entirely separate rules,” says the Chair of the Atlantic Conservative Caucus.

Mr. Allen says the extension of EI benefits for all has accomplished two things for Tobique-Mactaquac constituents. First, those individuals not already eligible for the additional five weeks under the pilot project are now covered and are on par with everyone else.

“Second, the pilot project was slated to end this June,” says Mr. Allen. “Now, with the legislation in this budget, those falling under the pilot will be able to benefit for much longer, just like everyone else across the country.”

Some time ago, the MP for Tobique-Mactaquac made a proposal to the Minister outlining how EI regional boundaries could be adjusted to better reflect the economic activity of this riding. “While the legislation is not exactly in line with my proposed boundary changes, it does achieve similar objectives to what I was trying to accomplish,” Mr. Allen explains.

“With this done, we now need to turn the focus to getting the cheques out the door and into the hands of the unemployed.”

Over $60 million in additional funding was recently announced to speed up the processing of EI claims, so people can access benefits as quickly as possible. This funding will help to hire hundreds of new staff across the country and improve efficiencies in processing claims through increased automation. Recent action was also taken to recall retired processing agents and increase the hours of operation at EI call centres.

“I certainly realize the challenges facing workers in the riding and throughout Canada, and these improvements can only benefit individuals affected by this economic downturn.”