Thursday, March 01, 2007
$51 Billion Employment Insurance Surplus
The employment insurance surplus has hit $51-billion, representing an increase of $7 billion since 2004. This excess money generated by EI rates can be freely used by the federal government.
An article by Sue Bailey for Canadian Press on the surplus notes that:
Bailey interviews experts who argue alternately to reduce EI premiums, increase benefits, and/or lower eligibility requirements.
An article by Sue Bailey for Canadian Press on the surplus notes that:
“... almost 17 per cent of workers who pay into the [EI] program never qualify for support because they don't rack up enough hours. It's especially hard for part-time employees, many of them women, to ever collect on their EI contributions because requirements were toughened in 1996.”ACTEW's research supports these assertions. Recently in this blog, we showed how EI requirements disproportionately exclude women. And here's our fact sheet on EI eligibility.
Bailey interviews experts who argue alternately to reduce EI premiums, increase benefits, and/or lower eligibility requirements.
Labels: Issues_and_Trends
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If there is a $51 billion dollar surplus, why on earth do I have fight to get sick benefits since I have fractured my leg? I am struggling to keep my car, keep us fed, and have heat on in the house. It must be nice for the government to have all that money to do whatever they want with. This must be my thank you for all those years I have worked and paid into the fund and paid taxes. Well, thank you very much.
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