Battle over EI takes centre stage

The debate over how to reform the Employment Insurance (EI) system became an important issue in Ottawa last June, as the Liberals and Conservatives faced off in a showdown that threatened to lead to a summer election. The election was avoided by a last-minute deal to have a blue-ribbon panel of Liberal and Conservative appointees investigate EI issues and report back in the Fall. CFIB is very concerned with the potential impact of some of the changes being discussed which include a country-wide standard to qualify for EI and expanding EI to the self-employed.

To respond, CFIB recently released a report outlining CFIB members’ views on EI and is using this to advocate for real change to the EI system so that it better addresses the needs of the current and future labour market. CFIB is pushing for an EI system that puts a greater focus on workplace training and brings fairness for employers all the while ensuring that EI premiums remain stable. There are some major challenges ahead for Canada’s EI system and CFIB will be doing whatever it can to protect Canada’s SMEs.