EI cuts for migrant workers to save feds $18M

The federal government expects to save $18 million a year by cutting “special” parental, maternity and compassionate-care benefits to about 1,900 temporary foreign workers who aren’t eligible to be in Canada, Postmedia News has learned.

The cuts, quietly announced earlier this month, took effect on Dec. 9 and are expected to impact those with expired social insurance numbers or work visas who are no longer eligible to live and work in Canada but who, under the old rules, were still allowed to collect special employment insurance benefits.

Government officials said in most cases, even regular EI benefits typically cease once the claimant has left the country and that it’s not so much an issue of people abusing the system, but rather a question of program integrity and making sure tax dollars are being spent wisely.

“Our government is intent on making sure the EI program remains fair and consistent,” said Marian Ngo, a spokeswoman for Human Resources Minister Diane Finley.

“The intention of the EI program is to help transition individuals back into the Canadian labour force, so it makes sense that only those who are authorized to be in Canada should be eligible for EI benefits.”

Of the approximately 300,000 temporary foreign workers in Canada, about 11,650 collected either regular or special EI benefits last year, according to figures provided to Postmedia News.

The government anticipates the changes will mean about 13,000 fewer applications, which will ultimately lead to a reduction in paperwork and therefore a reduction in annual costs.

Critics, however, say it’s not fair as these are often seasonal workers who have paid into the system, worked the requisite number of hours to qualify for the benefit and who are in many cases planning to return to Canada on a new permit the following season.

People like Junior Modeste of Trinidad, a seasonal worker in the agriculture sector for the last 12 years who thinks of himself as a honorary citizen.

The father of six works long days for minimum wage during apple-picking season, pays taxes and contributes to Canada’s social safety net despite significant expense getting to Canada and difficult and sometimes dangerous living and working conditions while here.

“These are workers who have a long-term attachment to Canada,” said Chris Ramsaroop of the group Justicia for Migrant Workers, adding the cuts came as a surprise to many. “These are the workers who are working eight months of the year and go home for three or four months, and that’s where they use the money to take care of family members back home and then they would return the following year.”