Report says Canada's EI system is falling behind a changing labour market
EI Canada is falling behind gig and part-time work, leaving many workers exposed. See why Food Banks Canada says eligibility rules need urgent reform.
Food Banks Canada says Canada’s employment insurance system is no longer keeping pace with a labour market that increasingly includes gig, parttime, temporary and contract work.
The organization’s latest poverty report card says EI was designed for a workforce that was more likely to have stable, fulltime jobs with a single employer, while many workers today have irregular hours or multiple jobs that make it harder to qualify.
Chief executive Kirstin Beardsley says the gap is a concern for household stability and the country’s resilience as unemployment remains elevated and living costs stay high. The report also notes that EI eligibility rules, which depend on insurable hours earned within a set period, can leave out workers with less predictable employment.