February 1, 2011
This report outlines the central themes that emerged through the Task Force’s consultation process. The Mowat Centre has convened a research-driven Employment Insurance Task Force that is examining Canada’s support system for the unemployed. The objective is to develop an Ontario proposal for modernizing the EI system—conscious of the national context—that works for individuals and businesses. This report outlines the central themes that emerged through the Task Force’s consultation process.
A larger dialogue and conference was also convened by the Mowat Centre EI Task Force in Toronto on January 21, 2011. This event was attended by representatives of provincial and national labour unions, business and industry associations, Aboriginal organizations, financial institutions, non-profit organizations, and private charitable foundations. Representatives of organizations engaged with issues surrounding unemployment, labour market development, and training in the GTA also attended along with representatives of the City of Toronto, Ontario, and federal governments.
The consultations were structured around the Task Force’s Consultation Workbook, which presents seven questions designed to provoke discussion about what the EI program should look like. In this report back, the Task Force has aggregated a selection of participants’ statements from Kingston, North Bay, Windsor, and Toronto. This document is organized following the questions posed in the Consultation Workbook. Under each question, central themes that emerged in the consultations are presented following an overview. Each theme is followed by participant statements, which form the bulk of this report. 1 The Task Force also received input in writing from individuals and organizations. Selections of these written submissions have been integrated into this document. Statements from the four events and selections from written submissions have been placed together to appear as a single conversation.
The consultation process has proved to be a rich source of information for the Task Force and vital to the Task Force’s process of developing recommendations for EI reform. The Task Force is still accepting submissions. We want to hear your stories and experiences with the EI program and/or thoughts about this document.
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