News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

May 1, 1997
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

Minister comments on Mifflin announcement on EI regulations for TAGS clients

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister John Efford said this evening he is pleased with federal Fisheries Minister Fred Mifflin's announcement that the federal government would move immediately after the election to make temporary changes to Employment Insurance Regulations to allow the majority of TAGS clients to qualify for EI benefits by meeting regular entrance requirements.

"This move is good news for TAGS clients in this province, and demonstrates the federal government's understanding of the difficult situation that people in the ground fishery find themselves in. The province has lobbied the federal government aggressively and we are pleased that they have taken this critical step," said the minister. "Now, fishers and fish plant workers will be able to consider their weeks in receipt of TAGS benefits as if they were work weeks for the purposes of Employment Insurance."

The amendment to the EI Regulations will assist Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who are in receipt of TAGS by giving them a longer time period in which to receive financial assistance as they continue their search for job opportunities. An estimated $3 to $6 million increase in EI benefits payable to TAGS recipients is expected in 1997-98 as a direct result of today's announcement.

Contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, (709) 729-3733.

1997 05 01 7:40 p.m.

SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement