NLIS 5
May 8, 2000
(Executive Council)

Employment Insurance reform

"The provincial government is working to get changes in Canada�s Employment Insurance system which will help unemployed people in our province," says Walter Noel, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

"We have been making the case for change since the inception of the new system. Our Minister of Human Resources and Employment, Julie Bettney, has been working for reform through the Forum of Labour Market Ministers. Four members of our caucus met with HRDC Minister Jane Stewart on March 17 to impress upon her the need for change. I arranged for federal Finance Minister Paul Martin to meet with fish plant workers and discuss the EI issue while he was in St. John�s last week. The national convention of the Liberal Party of Canada passed a resolution demanding the removal of the provision which reduces benefits for repeat users of EI, commonly referred to as the �intensity rule�, last March. Prime Minister Chretien has promised to act.

"Provincial officials are working with local stakeholders to prepare for a meeting in Newfoundland with Minister Stewart to look at ways to address local concerns. We are working even more urgently because of the reduction of the crab quotas and the potential difficulties facing seasonal plant workers this year."

"Our challenge is to get the kind of change we need to make the program more accessible, and increase benefits for people depending on it," Noel said. "Part of that challenge is to ensure that federal decision makers understand the implications of the new regulations for seasonal industries."

"We are making progress. We are working with the federal government, industry and labour representatives, community leaders and affected workers to find necessary solutions. Minister Stewart understands the challenges facing unemployed people in our province. There must be concrete action to deal with this serious issue."

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy Kelly, Intergovernmental Affairs, (709) 729-1341

2000 05 08                                             5:00 p.m.