HispanicBusiness

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 02/19/13 -- There have been many inaccuracies circulating about the recent changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program and I would like to set the record straight.

Without question, EI will continue to be there for those who need it, just as it has always been.

EI regular and fishing benefit claimants have always been required to look for a job. The changes are simply clarifying what a reasonable job search for suitable employment means.

No one will lose their benefits if there are no jobs available in their communities.

No one will have to take a job that puts them in a worse financial position than collecting EI alone.

No one is being forced to move out of their community to find a job.

No one is attacking seasonal workers or employers. And seasonal workers will not be prevented from returning to their seasonal jobs when they start up again.

We want people to live and find jobs in their communities. Through the enhanced Job Alerts system, we are helping Canadians find out about the local jobs that match their skills. If there are no jobs available in their communities, EI will continue to be there, just as it has always been.

When determining whether a job is suitable, things such as additional costs for transportation and child care, as well as personal circumstances, will always be taken into consideration. In most communities, a one-hour commute is considered reasonable but the availability of transportation will also be taken into account.

As a person's time on EI increases, they will be expected to consider a broader pool of jobs by expanding their job search efforts. But, they will never have to take a job that puts them in a worse financial position than EI alone.

The Connecting Canadians with Available Jobs initiative and other EI measures are all about common-sense changes that encourage and support Canadians to find jobs in their local areas that match their skills.

The bottom line is this: EI will continue to be there for those who need it and no one will lose benefits, providing they make a reasonable effort to find a job and accept suitable employment, as has always been the case.

This news release is available in alternative formats on request.

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IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

Facts about recent changes to the Employment Insurance program

There have been many inaccuracies circulating about the recent changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program. Some of the most common myths about the changes are addressed in this fact sheet.

Myth: People will be worse off financially

Some think that the Employment Insurance (EI) program changes will force workers to accept low-paying jobs that will leave them worse off than when they are on EI.

Fact: This is not true. Connecting Canadians with available jobs is about helping EI claimants stay in the job market. Changes ensure that claimants taking jobs will be better off working than receiving only EI.