Mr. Paul Thompson at the Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee

On June 11th, 2009. See this statement in context.

June 11th, 2009 / 11:40 a.m.

Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Human Resources and Skills Development

As I explained, the Employment Insurance program is based on 58 separate regions, and, in 41 of those regions, the unemployment rate is on the rise. So, in those regions, we have reduced the number of hours required to access EI, and extended the benefit period. Furthermore, 85% of Canadians reside in those 41 regions.

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