Unifor has expressed support for Bill S-244, introduced in the House of Commons on Monday this week, which seeks to amend the Employment Insurance (EI) program and provide greater worker input into its management. The bill, which was passed in the Senate earlier this year, proposes the creation of a 12-member tripartite Employment Insurance Council composed of representatives from unions, employers, and the federal government.
The bill, introduced by NDP MP Matthew Green, is a step towards strengthening the role of workers in the EI system, according to Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Employment Insurance is the most important income security program for workers in Canada, and is in desperate need of reform,” Payne said in a statement. “Bill S-244 is a step in the right direction by giving workers a greater voice in how the EI program is managed and coordinated.”
The proposed council is designed to foster collaboration between unions, employers, and the government on Employment Insurance and labour market transition issues such as training and re-employment. However, Payne stressed that while the bill addresses some of the union’s long-standing demands for reform, it does not resolve key concerns, particularly around restrictive eligibility requirements and low benefit levels under Part 1 of the EI Act.
“We saw how the pandemic shone a spotlight on the significant gaps in the EI program where millions couldn’t access it, even though they paid into it for the duration of their work lives,” Payne said. “And yet, years later, these gaps still exist.”
Unifor has been advocating for permanent improvements to the EI program for years. In June 2021, the union released a policy paper calling on the federal government to expand eligibility, increase benefit levels, and improve the administration of the program. In February, Unifor presented recommendations to the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, emphasizing the need for comprehensive EI reform that would benefit all workers, including those in seasonal industries like fisheries.
Despite its support for Bill S-244, Unifor remains focused on broader changes to the system. “This bill moves us in the right direction, but it falls short of addressing the structural issues that leave too many workers without access to the benefits they deserve,” Payne said.
Unifor represents 320,000 workers across a range of industries in Canada.