The EI algebra
While the opposition continues to press Diane Finley about a problem with the Harper government’s changes to employment insurance, Ms. Finley’s office seems to be struggling to explain itself.
Opposition parties are accusing the government of clawing back more money from the poorest of Canadians with its recent changes to EI. But Diane Finley, human resources and skills development minister, countered that saying the “vast majority” of EI claimants are better off under her department’s new clawback system.
The Chronicle Herald attempted to verify her claim, asking the department last Thursday for the average dollar amount earned by part-time workers receiving EI, as well as the dollar value of the average clawback under the previous system. The department responded Monday, saying it does not have the data to answer either question. The lack of data raises questions about how Finley could say the “vast majority” of EI claimants will make more money under the new system.