EI applications have risen while the Delta variant continues to affect hotspots across the country and supply chains continue to be disrupted. This means it is crucial for the government to immediately extend emergency supports past Saturday’s deadline.

“I had the opportunity earlier this week to relay our concerns directly to Deputy Prime Minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland. I explained how it is vital the government continues to have the backs of workers in these challenging times,” said Bruske.

“The COVID-19 pandemic laid-bare the existing inequality in Canada and we must not forget that now. We urge Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible and act to make sure the recovery is focused on alleviating inequality and providing decent work for all,” said Bruske.

Learn more at canadianplan.ca.

What: CLC President available to speak about emergency benefits
Where: By phone or by ZOOM
When: October 21, 2021
Who: Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress

Contact information:
Amy Boughner
Cell: 343-549-8397
media@clcctc.ca

The post Canadian Labour Congress’ President Bea Bruske available to speak about emergency benefits appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“I want to thank Minister Freeland for a positive discussion. Her government has extended vital support throughout the pandemic to working people and their families,” said Bruske. “Our economy still hasn’t met the government’s own benchmarks, their own fiscal guardrails they set for Canada’s labour market. With so many still unemployed, many for over a year or more, and so many others still unable to qualify for EI – there remains a critical need for emergency supports like the CRB.”

According to Statistics Canada’s latest jobs report, the unemployment rate is still 1.2 percentage points over February 2020 and about 2.5 million are either looking for work, not working enough hours, or have been pushed out of the labour market altogether. Lower paid people relying on precarious work have been particularly hard hit. EI applications right now are at 100,000 a week, twice as high as August.

“Sadly, the pandemic is not over. Canada’s unions look forward to working with Minister Freeland and her government, alongside the new Parliament, on building an economic recovery with workers at its heart”, concluded Bruske. “In addition to the need for extending emergency supports, we addressed the affordable housing crisis, the need for climate action and a just transition, and the critical need for affordable child care, so women can rejoin the labour force.”

Freeland and Bruske both pledged to keep lines of communication between the government and Canada’s unions open on these vital issues.

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Bruske meets Deputy Prime Minister Freeland to discuss help for workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

The numbers of workers who are currently facing the prospect of an end to their benefits this March are staggering:

• 844,000 workers were receiving the Canada Recovery Benefit in late January 2021;
• 129,000 workers were receiving the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit in late January 2021;
• Over 2.3 million people are receiving Employment Insurance benefits in February 2021.

“These workers need to know what happens next as they continue to face economic hardship and uncertainty,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “This pandemic is not ending anytime soon. We need the federal government to plan for the long-term and provide support for workers whose jobs have disappeared.”

Canada’s economy saw higher than expected job losses at the end of 2020 and another large drop in employment in January, with 213,000 jobs lost. Women and low-wage, racialized workers in precarious employment have been hit the hardest.

“It will be some time before Canada returns to full employment. The federal government must act now to ensure workers aren’t left struggling to put food on the table and cover their essential needs,” said Yussuff.

The federal government has already promised much-needed changes to Canada’s EI system. Read CLC’s recommendations for EI reform here.

The post Canada’s unions are warning federal government of looming ‘benefits cliff’ appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.