HUMA Committee Report

        Throughout our hearings, the Committee was constantly reminded of the important role that EI plays in the lives of Canadians. For many, this program is a lifeline that helps support their families during intermittent or frequent periods of unemployment. It also helps people adjust to changing labour market conditions by contributing to more durable matches between unemployed workers and available jobs as well as provide opportunities for those who need skills, job experience or help to create their own employment. EI’s importance to workers is also strongly rooted, more so today then ever before, in the wage replacement support it provides to workers who are unable to work because they are sick, pregnant or caring for newborn or adoptive children.

                These are the core functions of Canada’s EI system and it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that both employers and employees are well served under this system. Over the years, various governments have accepted this responsibility and this is reflected in the numerous changes that have been made to Canada’s EI/UI system since its inception. In addition, with any policy instrument, particularly one as important as EI, fine-tuning is necessary and ongoing. This was recently evidenced by the proposals contained in Bill C-2. However, the task of fine-tuning EI is not finished, a message that was clearly registered during our study of Bill C-2. It is the Committee’s hope that the recommendations contained in this report contribute to this ongoing process and we thank all of those who shared their views with us regarding future changes to their EI system.*