November 14, 2011
Making It Work: The Mowat Centre Releases its EI Task Force Final Report and Recommendations
Toronto–The Mowat Centre at the University of Toronto has released the final report and recommendations of its Employment Insurance (EI) Task Force. The EI program has long been characterized by systemic inequities and regional political considerations.
Making It Work: Final Recommendations of the Mowat Centre Employment Insurance Task Force, contains recommendations based on more than a year of research, public engagement and expert consultation. The report provides a vision for a strengthened national system.
The Task Force makes 18 recommendations around four themes: a nationally standardized system for determining qualification and benefits, active employment measures (e.g. training), special benefits (e.g. parental and sickness leave), and financing and management.
Matthew Mendelsohn, director of the Mowat Centre, points out that EI is the only major federal social program that bases your benefits on where you live.
“We need a program that treats all Canadians equitably regardless of where they live, just like other signature programs that form the foundation of the Canadian national social safety net,” he says.
The Task Force recommendations are governed by three main principles: unemployment assistance must be accessible when it is needed, the program should encourage people to stay in the labour market, and it must treat everyone equitably.
Roy Romanow, Co-Chair of the Task Force Advisory Committee, believes that the recommendations provide an opportunity to modernize and strengthen a key federal social program in a fiscally responsible way.
“We have an opportunity to modernize the program so that it works across the country,” he says.
“The recommendations are balanced, realistic, and respond to the changing face of Canada’s 21st century labour market,” notes Maytree President and Advisory Committee Co-Chair Ratna Omidvar.
Mowat Director Matthew Mendelsohn adds:
“We look forward to a principled discussion of our recommendations and invite the federal government to consider this opportunity to move forward with modernization of the program that is in the national interest.”
The report will be live on the Mowat web site on Tuesday November 16th.
