Public servants making EI house calls to root out fraudsters: Harper

SASKATOON – Prime Minister Stephen Harper says hundreds of millions of dollars are lost through false or inappropriate employment insurance claims and the federal government wants to curb that.

Federal workers are now visiting employment insurance recipients at home, the prime minister confirmed Thursday in response to a report from The Canadian Press. He said the government must ensure the EI system’s integrity.

“Every year, unfortunately, in our Employment Insurance system hundreds of millions of dollars are identified or are lost through false, or fraudulent, or inappropriate claims,” Harper said while in Saskatoon for an unrelated announcement.

“One of the jobs of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is to ensure that the funds in the employment insurance system are there for people who have lost their jobs, who qualify, and who need that help.”