OTTAWA – In the same week that the Conservative government moves to make employment insurance harder to access, Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle has tabled a new bill that aims to alleviate the burdens of a job loss.
“"This bill authorizes increasing the EI coverage allowing any person absent from work during a strike or lock-out caused by a labour dispute to be eligible for payment of unemployment insurance benefits and therefore be legally protected. "Gravelle said.
Under the Employment Insurance Act, the reference period used to determine eligibility for regular and special benefits (sickness, compassionate care, maternity, parental) employment insurance usually runs about 52 weeks. While the law already acknowledges there could be external circumstances where an individual remains eligible, Gravelle’s bill makes it clear to also include long labour disputes.
“Canada should remain committed to defend workers’ rights while improving and increasing the access to employment insurance.” Gravelle said. “To allow for those who have lost their job to recover their due rights is simply the right thing to do.”
This is Gravelle’s ninth private member’s bill that he has introduced in this 41st Parliament. He has five bills related to public disclosure and consultations for the Canada Investment Act related to foreign takeovers. Among his other legislation Gravelle wants to protect the number of Northern Ontario’s federal seats, make FedNor a stand-alone agency and have Canada commit to a national dementia strategy.
