Unemployed, under employed Canadians to get training boost

Morrissey rates document as a good budget

The federal budget released Wednesday provides new supports for unemployed and under employed Canadians who want to take upgrading or skills training, says Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey. “That’s always been a sore point,” Morrissey said of the problem unemployed or under employed Canadians have obtaining support with training. “This budget begins to address that. It recognizes the need for access.”

The Liberal government, Morrissey reviewed, is investing $132 million over four years to allow claimants to pursue selffunded training while on EI. Until now, claimants could be deemed unavailable for work if they attended training for more than 14 hours per week and could have their claim disallowed, Morrissey explained.

The skills side of the program will provide $900 million over six years to new Labour Market Development Agreements with the provinces to allow people who do not qualify for EI to apply for skills development funding. “This was something I long advocated for,” Morrissey said. “You have people unemployed, sitting around. Why not allow them to go and upgrade their skills? Any type of training, I’ve always believed, has a value.” “For me, from the whole budget, these two pieces are the most significant aspects,” the MP suggested.

There were no tax increases and no elimination of tax deductions in the budget, Morrissey reviewed.

“When you have a budget that does not negatively impact any segment, especially in the riding I represent, it’s a good budget.”

You have people unemployed, sitting around. Why not allow them to go and upgrade their skills?

Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey