Workers, companies want non-partisan review of EI

OTTAWA—The representatives for employers and workers in the employment insurance system say they are deeply concerned that a promised review of the program will be lost in the heat of a minority Parliament. The shortcomings in EI, flagged for years by experts, have been exposed by the pandemic, including that not every worker is covered, nor can everyone who is covered get benefits when they need them.

The EI system is overseen by a commission that regularly reviews problems and the appeals system, as well as its financing. The commissioners bring the voices of workers and companies to the table, often consulting their constituents and raising concerns with permanent officials.

It is rare for them to speak publicly, but circumstances are different from when the Liberals promised, and failed to deliver, a review of EI during their first mandate.

The EI commissioners say they hope the government launches an independent commission soon to do a thorough review.

“There’s a heavy preference for it to be an independent process so it doesn’t become a hostage to the political habits and flows in Ottawa,” said Pierre Laliberté, the commissioner for workers.

“This is what we’re hoping that the government will come up with in short order so that we can finally focus on the issue and not be constantly on our toes.”

Judith Andrews, the commissioner for employers, said there is broad agreement from business and labour groups that a review shouldn’t be rushed in the middle of a pandemic.

The government is vowing to modernize the EI system, turned 80 over the sumwhich mer.