QUESTION PERIOD — Employment and Social Development
Employment Insurance
December 6, 2022
My question today is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
Senator Gold, information provided to senators to support the Statutes Repeal Act motion states in part that, “Pursuant to Budget 2021, consultations were held to inform potential changes to the employment insurance EI program.” It further states that “Consultations have concluded and the plan to modernize the EI program is still under development.”
Senator Gold, will you please advise the chamber what “still under development” means?
Thank you for your question, senator. The government knows full well that the EI, or Employment Insurance, system which is needed for the 21st century is one that needs to be developed and that the current system needs to be modernized to that end.
The government remains committed to strengthening the rights for workers who were employed, for example, in digital platforms and to establishing new provisions to the Income Tax Act to ensure that their work counts towards EI and CPP — the Canada Pension Plan. Indeed, with Budget 2022, the government is investing $110 million to extend the existing seasonal pilot until October of 2023.
I also note that the government consulted widely with unions, workers, employers and other partners to build an EI system that meets the needs of Canadians going forward. As you referenced in your question, consultations have come to a close, and the government is in the process of analyzing the information that it received.
It is a serious business to modernize an EI system that serves millions of Canadians every year. The government looks forward to presenting its long-term plan for comprehensive EI modernization. It’s taking the time to get it right.
Thank you, Senator Gold, for that answer. I appreciate that much-needed changes do take time. I would also caution the Government Representative in the Senate that one size does not fit all in this country.
Can the Government Representative in the Senate please advise when we might see the development plan? Is there a time frame attached to the cabinet’s work?
Thank you for the question.
I have not been advised of a timeline, as such. With the consultations having been finished, I have been advised that the analysis is ongoing and the work will proceed with dispatch.
I will certainly pass on your observation. The government would be receptive to the point that the system has to be adapted to the different industries, regions and circumstances that workers and businesses find themselves in.
At such time as there is a predicted date for release of more information, I will be happy to share it.
