Tories reject opposition demands for EI reform

Opposition parties maintained the pressure on the Tory government to make changes to unemployment insurance, forcing it to consider a deal with one of the parties to avoid another federal election.

CTV National News: Craig Oliver on the chance of an election

The Liberal Party may not be dead set on another election, but they are looking to get the public to get to know party leader Michael Ignatieff.

CTV's Question Period: House leaders debate EI

With every minorty goverment, election talk is a right of spring. This time around, EI has become a central issue in the opposition's confidence, with both the Liberals and NDP threatening to defeat the government if changes aren't made.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Sun. May. 17 2009 8:39 PM ET

The Conservatives have refused to give in to the opposition's demands to reform Employment Insurance, despite threats from the Liberals that they may seek to topple the government over the issue.

"We're not adverse to further improvements, but we will not be pressured, and we don't think it's responsible that the opposition constantly threatens an election at a time when the country is facing economic peril," Conservative House Leader Jay Hill told CTV's Question Period Sunday.

The Liberals, along with the other two opposition parties, are calling on the government to set a national threshold of 360 hours of paid work for workers to be eligible for EI during the recession.

The current threshold is between 420 hours to 910 hours of paid work, varying by region. Eligibility is also dependent on other factors like work history.

Hill said the government made some "important changes" to deal with unemployment during the recession, such as extending benefits for five weeks.

But those changes are not sufficient to deal with the 1.4 million Canadians that are out of work, of which 350,000 have lost their jobs in the last few months, Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale told Question Period.

Tens of thousands of workers don't qualify for EI under the present set of rules, he said, adding that to deal with the recession the rules must be temporarily changed.

The current rules were set by the Liberals in the 1990s.

"The rules were written for a time when the country was heading into a boom. Unfortunately for the country, the boom has ended and we're now into a bust," Goodale said.

But Hill argued that the changes would cause a rise in payroll taxes. In fact, the Liberals have said it would cost Canadians $1.5 billion a year.

Libby Davies, the NDP house leader, said her party set the groundwork for EI reform in a NDP motion passed by a majority of MPs last March.

"Let's start with that motion that was adopted by the House ... Let's fix the EI system for people," she said.

The motion called on the government to:

Eliminate the waiting period for EI
Reduce the number of hours worked to qualify
Extend eligibility to self-employed workers
Increase benefits

She said her party has been raising the issue every day during question period in the House.

"It just seems so outrageous that people cannot collect when they paid into an insurance program that doesn't have any government money in it," she said.

Goodale said the government must change the threshold to avoid an election.

"We're not cruising for an election. We don't particularly want that, but neither do we fear it," he said.

The government has become "increasingly frustrated" with the opposition's constant threat of an election, Hill said, adding that he was hoping to see a change in policy when Michael Ignatieff assumed leadership of the Liberals.

Ignatieff telegraphed his party's intent for an election on Thursday when he told a labour union in a speech that Harper needed "to make some constructive changes on EI before this summer."

"And I'm telling you straight, and I'm telling you clear: I cannot continue to make Parliament work unless we get substantive EI reform before this Parliament rises in June," he said.

Comments are now closed for this story

Kenny Montreal Why are Liberals so BITTER?
said

Why is the Liberal Party so bitter? Its not like they got ripped off for $43 miilion in Ad Scam. But they are such very Bitter group maybe thats why they have no quailty members.

Ex Coelis
said

Hmmm
Thanks to the actions of 4 men, and a video made by the Quebec based "Vandoos" (R22eR) the Liberals under Chretien disbanded a regiment.
Given the record of malfesance, theft, corruption, etc. we should DISBAND THE LIBERAL PARTY!

Jake
said

I have read the comments here and it seems to me that all Canadians need to step up to the plate and become responsible. I read that the Conservative party just isn't doing their job and handing us a big cheque the minute we lose our jobs and they aren't running the country right blah, blah, blah. NOW, I ask you, how good have you been running your affairs if you can't be without a job for at least a year if you have been working for ten years or more? Perhaps you have become complacent with all the Liberal and NDP promised handouts.

Bill W James
said

It is like a breath of fresh air to know that Canada has Michael Ignatieff leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, ready, willing and able to take over the reign's of power after the next election, and become Canada�s Prime Minister. Michael�s fine education and worldly knowledge plus impeccable character offers Canada to be an excellent leader. Michael is a consensus builder a nation builder and once again well put trust and honour back in the Canadian Federal House of Commons.

Sk Doctor
said

When the elction comes, remember who is going to tax, tax, and tax you again...the Liberals...don't you need that money in YOUR pocket? Besdies, Ignatieff is NOT committed to this country...his absences show that...

JR in BC
said

Iggy and the Libs attempt to get the lower income and unemployed vote.

Unbelievable Low Tactic!

I think EI is fine the way it is. Reform is hot air and will just cost more for the people who never claim or use the benefits.

Canadian Observer
said

I am not a member of any political party. I vote for the best candidate in my riding, according to who can best give us good responsible government. So, I have to say that -despite the fact it's been done with successive minority governments- I am very impressed with teh Job the PMHarper and the Conservative government have done for us. Instead of catering to special interests, tilting at windmills, and otherwise wasting our money; they have done a creditable job in government. I have to also say that I am NOT favourably impressed with the opposition parties. They were elected to represent thier ridings, not to be consistently against everything the government proposes. The title of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition is wasted on the Liberals and the rest. It's time that they all learned to play nice in the sandbox and do the peoples business in the manor expected of them; not to act like a pack of petulant children.

TAX TAX TAX
said

i would just like to hear the opposition promise something else other than spending my tax dollars. It is getting out of control!

Mary Clarke
said

Ignatieff simply could have asked for reform to E.I before he agreed to vote to support the budget. But,he didn't,did he? Why? So that he could be seen now pretending to care,by the constant complaining and critisising evrything this Govt. does.

Vote NDP in the next federal/provincial election
said

I hope Conservative MPs will be ousted if they dont fix EI

Marg
said

When you look at the comments on this site, it is interesting to note, that those that seem to be pro Liberal also seem to be very hateful and into name calling. Those that seem to be pro Conservative,seem to be informative and have something to offer.

Just my observation.

Ruby the Liberal Party is in full Panic mode !!!
said

The Liberal Party is in full panic mode with nannygate. Busted again. Trying to change the subject as the party in fighting takes hold is not fooling anyone. like sharks with blood in the water they are in a full frenzy.

G Hillier -> Ignatieff Not shy about BLOOD
said

I thought Ignatieff was a American Repulican and loved War and supported the Iraq invasion even after the streets of Bagdad were filled with blood, he is not shy about blood thats forsure, but he is not going to sneak past the finish line either, his past books show this man is dangerous and NOT fit for office.

Anne M
said

I wished the Liberals would STOP threatening to "topple the gov't" and would just work with the other parties to make our gov't work.
I am sick and tired of biting my nails every time the threat rises to throw the gov't out.

Ray Yates
said

The only problem with the government we have now is that we didn't give them a majority. Thank the lord that the liberals wern't in power when this recession hit, we would be in a lot worse shape, We have had no boondoggle's, corruption, money dissappearing, but we have had a reduction in the GST, less taxes and apart from the b.s. that the libs keep throwing out, given the present climate , they are doing pretty good. I a election is called give the conservative's a chance, give them a majority

Tracy Thunderbay, how do you spell Loser
said

How do you spell Loser
L I B E R A L
more than one L for double Loser.

Martin Luther: Ignatieff is NO party of Hope
said

The Liberal leader was a big Hillary Clinton fan until Obama won then he wanted to pretend he the party of hope. This cold hearted man will never pull off his Obama act, people just are not that stupid. Ignatieff is the hopeless party.

VH
said

I am a liberal, but I will not vote Liberal if there is an election. They are really annoying me with their power plays. They don't give a hoot about the country.

Britney thinks Iggy is a weaker leader than Dion
said

Jack Layton is calling the shots for Ignatieff who has no choice but to dance to the NDP tune. Iggy is a weaker leader than before.

Jo
said

Isn't it funny how it all turns out. Liberals sent our troops into Afghanistan and since losing power only criticize the Conservatives for being there.
Liberals made changes to the current EI program and now the Conservatives are to blame...
haha
We don't need this change, as Canadians are suffering enough to get through this depression, an added debt is not acceptable. I know of seasonal workers who love their jobs because they have the opportunity to have the summer or winter off all courtesy of Canadian Taxpayers. Isn't this a perfect country to live in. You only need to work as little as 11 weeks and the government will pay you benefits.
Who does it really benefit. The government should be reviewing seasonal workers as there is a pattern.

Geoff - Ignatieff too Radical for Canada
said

Micheal Ignatieff is under the false impression that people would vote for him.
His radical veiws are too extreme and not welcome.
`

DB
said

The leaders of the Provincial NDP and the federal tories should take a pay cut and help out some of the people that may not have it so lucky with all the layoffs. IF they really wanted to help, but we know the answer already!

Jennifer Ft Mac
said

Iggy you can make Parliment work just do the right thing and keep voting for the Conservatives, nobody believes your latest phoney book anyway.

Geo
said

While Paul Martin was making surpluses through the Liberals reign of power, he did it on the backs of health care and EI. Now both are in big trouble because both were gutted to be used for pet projects.Not a promise was kept, even when they had a majority to be able to do it.Sorry Mr.Ignatieff Liberal governments have a habit of destroying not creating.Bring on the election,it's time for Liberals to bring on a leader that cares about the costs that Canadians endure and not to enlarge his personal ego.Give it a shake Iggy.

james
said

Ignateiff's comments came before Dhalla opened her mouth. Chances of the Liberals calling an election now? Zero to none.

Gary
said

This is exactly the time for an election. Get those clowns out before they do any more damage. I don't care who we relace them with

Cambob
said

Dear CTV:

Please post all the "I Hate Liberals" comments in blue and all the "I Hate Conservatives" comments in red.

That way, if anyone actually posts something meanful, without the mindless political banter, we can spot that blog quickly and avoid the rest.

Thanks!

Prior to thier convention, the polling numbers for the Liberals have been going up. Anyone who doesn't think there will be an election this year, isn't dealing with the reality of Canadian politics.

R NS
said

Here is a news flash to leader of the opposition...your Daddy is not going to pay for the proposed changes to the UI program...so who is?? Oh yes the Canadian Taxpayers...a group of hard working people who pay canadian taxes their whole lives...something you never had to do as you lived most of your high flunt'en life abroad...better than the rest of us....
How about the strong Canadian workers...who never collect UI...who take pay cuts in times of recessions...but keep on working...what message are you sending them?? They are foolish to work for less during a worldwide recession?? The goverment will take care of everyone?? News Flash Iggy. In the real world, you pay your own way...that's the Canadian way...guess your Daddy never taught you that one...

RZ
said

What on Earth is Harper's problem, acting as if he had a majority government? First, he did the unprecedented and prorogued government in order to block any chances of a Liberal-NDP coalition (thanks to that idiot Governor General). And now, he refuses to budge on EI reform, when Canadians need it most and all three opposition parties are calling for it.

I hope we don't have an election for a while, but if we must, DO NOT VOTE CONSERVATIVE! Canada cannot afford any more of Harper's arrogance!

parnel
said

I believe Iggy has the country at heart when he pushes for changes to EI. the Country must adapt to the current situation and take care of those affected by this recession which is far from over. The Harpercrites continue to keep keep thir heads in the sand and refused to even acknowledge there was a recession looming last fall.
Conservatives brought the country to the brink of disaster before and this bunch is no different.

Conservative incompetents are laughing stock
said

Canada cannot afford more idiocy from Harper and Flaherty and the rest of the Conservative dolts.

Jim, Harper is already running up the debt
said

with his deficits.

Deficits he denied would be needed.

To deal with a recession he denied would happen.

After he blew billions cutting taxes for his corporate cronies.

Andy Kanata
said

It is hilarious when you hear the Liberal leader comment that he cannot continue to make Parliament work. Are you kidding me!!! In opposition or in power, Liberals have never been able to make Parliament work. They have however done all kinds of magic tricks and made lots of taxpayer money disappear - the EI fund is gone, Health Care is in ruins and all the crooks who lined their pockets can't wait for the money to start flowing again.

Eric.
said

Call an election now when we have so much going on in this country because of the recession. What are the libs and ndp nuts? Now isn't the time to be calling an election, the country can't be without of government for months while they fight amongst each other. The party that topples the government would not be popular and would have to justify it big time. Something I don't they could pull off.

Samual
said

Edmonton John: Well said.

Probably the best stimulus there is because the money goes directly into the unemployed they spend & the economy recovers.

Adam in Ottawa
said

Harper had better watch his swagger, or he may find himself back at the GG's office begging to hold onto his job again.

R/H Ontario
said

If Mr Ignatieff wants to have another Election, it will only be for him to be Crowned "King of Canada". This guy does not care about the ordinary Canadian, he even looks down on us, with contempt, at least that is how his facial gestures look!
There is NO WAY that he is for Canadians.
BUT one thing I do agree with, that is that EI needs to be reformed, first let the governing party have a shot at it, see if they can do something worthwhile for a change. I am not a firm supporter of any one party and at the next Election I will as usual, vote for the Party that I "think" will do the most for Canadians. So far I am not batting a good average!

Linda in Vancouver
said

Sorry folks.But I'm on the side of Mr.Harper on this one.This just shows how willing the Liberals and NDP are to spend my money.This program,and their day care proposal add over $3 billion dollars annually to federal government spending.With that comes more taxes,bigger deficits,and more delays in increasing productivity and competetiveness in Canadian industry.
Even as someone who USUALLY votes Liberal,this will not do it for me.The main reason I started voting for the Tories was dissatisfaction with Liberal socialism and their lack of consideration for the national debt we are about to leave for our children and grandchildren to deal with.We ALL need to recognize that government has no money of it's own.It only re-distributes money they confiscate from people who work,and pay taxes.
I had hoped to return to a Liberal party that realized it needed a new approach.I thought losing a couple of elections would hammer that point home.Apparently I gave them more credit than I should have.All they do is find new faces to shovel us the same tired old socialist policies.
Mr.Harper should listen to what the opposition has to say.Perhaps a temporary program could be implemented in parts of the country where unemployment is very high.But making EI to easy and to available simply encourages even more abuse of the system,and the taxpayers who pay the bills.
Mr.Ignatieff will have o do a lot better if he wants me to return my vote to his party.
Poverty is best fought with a vibrant economy,low debt,low taxes,and decent jobs.Wealth is never created by stealing from Peter,to send free money to Paul.Do not let Liberals bribe you with your own tax dollars.I know I will not.

Raj
said

This is going to cost us bigtime! I am not happy with this at all If we do have an election, I hope Harper gets a majority! Iggy is going to make us pay and pay, until we all have nothing.Then he will raise taxes and then comes the green tax, no thanks

bdw
said

You must serve a 2-week unpaid waiting period before your EI benefits begin to be paid. Generally, this period is the first 2 weeks of your claim. This is like a deductible for any kind of insurance. On the other hand, if you reopen a claim for benefits in which you have already served a 2-week waiting period, you do not serve another 2-week waiting period.

Earnings made, for example, vacation pay, severance pay or allocated during the 2-week waiting period will be deducted in the first 3 weeks for which benefit is otherwise payable following the waiting period.

It really makes no sense to remove the 2 week waiting period as per the above.

Also... there is a normal transition period from job to job. Why move from one job to another job without taking a 2 or 3 week vacation in between jobs on the backs of the people propping up EI.

NO to removing the 2 week waiting period!

Art
said

The EI fund runs a large surplus, there is no way this will result in a tax increase.

It only seem fair that workers in places like Toronto and Alberta should be treated like workers from other areas.

Sick of being held hostage by politicians
said

So, Mr Ignatieff says " I cannot continue to make Parliament work unless we get substantive EI reform before this Parliament rises in June". I must have missed something over the last few weeks; he has actually made parliament work? It has not really worked for years, either because of massive Liberal majorities that gave them the impression that they were the only party that could govern (and took all sorts of liberties with our tax dollars); or the minority governments we have had for the last few years, with those parties that did not get to govern making parliament dysfunctional.

Mr. Ignatieff should beware exposing the arrogance of the Liberal party; in fact all parties should beware of forcing yet another election. The electorate might just become so disgusted with the parties that they turn out in much larger numbers than has happened recently, and vote in independents rather than hacks who toe the party line come what may.

As for reforming EI, the only reform should be for anyone, anywhere in Canada, to have the same minimum number of weeks worked before being eligible; and for surpluses in good years to be banked against bad times, not being put into general revenue to make a government look good - regardless of which party governs.

The citizens expect their elected governments to govern for the benefit of all the people, not to use their hard-earned tax dollars and EI contributions to ensure their own re-election.

Karen Moosejaw - Liberals Party slippery fish
said

Slimy Liberals acting like they care about people at election is a farce.

Paul In Ajax
said

The unemployment tare was 9.6% when the Liberals made the changes to E.I that are in effect today. The unemployment rate stayed higher for the next three years than it is today. As a matter of fact it climbed above 10%, two full percentage points above where it is today. At no time did the Liberals think the hours for qualifying by region was unfair then. So what changed Liberals?

David
said

I read a great article today regarding how many MP's from all parties are a year away from the pensions they think they so rightly deserve after being elected in 2004....there will be no election until next Summer when those guarenteed 35k a year once they turn 55 pensions will be official...just wait and see......why is it 99% of elected officials give the rest a bad name!

al in ontario
said

it was not the time for an election the last couple of times neither

D Griffith
said

To those easily-led Canadians who mindlessly cheer when the socialists (Libs and NDP-chhose one)cheer on increaded EI benefits, guess where that $ is going to come from. Hint: check your pockets...

Doctor Spin
said

As a spin Doctor I know spin when I see it and the Liberal spin is making me dizzy, amatuers. They copme across as too phoney the worst acting ever.

JR
said

Bring on the Election. Harper has had enough vacations at the expence of the tax payer. I will be so glad to see him gone. I've had enough of his my way or the highway. Iggy rules... Harper shove your dirty tv ads, they only work for some.
I'd rather an Ivy Leaguer than a Doment Ruler.

Melvin soon Melvina LGBT liberal supporter
said

As a transgender individual I think the Liberal Party continues to shift money to the LGBT movement in the court challanges program, for gender reassignment, parades, benefits from marriage the Liberals can fully count on myself and others for our full support at rallies against conservatives and support for green issues and to clap at their meetings.
I am sick of the no to gay marriage positions or Harper and Obama.

Ralph in NB
said

they should be getting people back to work not making it easer not to work.sounds like a way for the liberals to indirectly buy votes.

Stephanie enjoys Canada's love affair with Harper
said

Canada has a love affair with Harper shy by nature so passionate about Canada he reminds me of JFK of the states, I continue to warm up to the Prime Minister like Obama he has a pretty wife and 2 nice kids and pets. I like the idea of a young leader like Obama and Harper. These 60 year old guys trying to be cool is emabarassing.

Kevin
said

Liberals need a new leader someone who is Canadian! Not a puppet for the greedy Americans...

Sue
said

Harper's new strategy for the recession, If your out of work & don't have money to feed your kids. Too bad.
Harper is unwilling to do anything to help out of work Canadians.

Think before you speak.
said

It's obvious from these comments that people think the high unemployment rates are caused by "lazy people". There is no empirical evidence to support this. People have specific skills and are now in a position of having to make a major life change. This is no simple matter.
People who have their own business, and I mean small business aren't getting a holiday (by the way). First of all, business people pay a lot towards EI, secondly, many are working extremely long hours for less pay than a lot of other people with long-term jobs. The comments here express an ignorance, a lack of knowledge about the actual EI process. Maybe negative thinkers tend to be more opinionated because people who actually have something to add to the discussion are off doing something positive elsewhere. Synicism keeps things the same. Change is hard...change is good. But compassion, now that is what life is about!

Blake - BC Interior
said

Could this (finally!) be the end of the con-kleptocracy?

If so: WOOHOO! [ :

[worst period in Cdn history]

Peter Toronto thinks 10 Liberals cross floor
said

10 Liberal should wake up and cross the floor to the Conservatives.
Canada needs some stability not another election.

Bob,Calgary,Alberta
said

Most of the defencies in the EI scheme were caused by the Liberals who never ran the scheme in a risk assessment manner. They always lumped EI premiums into general revenue and used the dollars for their silly spending purposes ( witness the gun registry). Now the Libs are doing an about face and threatening an election unless rules are softened. This would cost the individuals who pay into EI and the companies struggling for survival a couple of $billion to fund. The NDP in their usual way want more dollars into EI because they believe there is some type of Canadian fruitree that sprouts money. Both the Libs and NDP are only jockeying for position and looking at the polls. Neither party cares about the population. Harper is not entirely innocent in this because his slashing of the GST has reduced government revenues and thus wriggle room significantly. In my over 40 years of working I never claimed EI and even when I was unemployed for a short period I got off my duff and found a new job quickly. Weak EI rules encourage people not to seek work.if a two income family with one spouse making,say $50,000. and another on max EI at $20,000. for a year can't live comfortably they have a spending problem not an income problem. The composition of the workforce has changed significantly in the last 20 years and the majority of families are two income. Unemployment is a tough situation but tightening one's belts until the economy improves is something people can usually adjust to. People have to remember that every dollar the Feds spend has to come from somewhere and that means us,our children and our grandchildren. Beware the Liberals because they have never seen a tax they did not like.

Jenny - Cool to Iggy Cold Heart
said

The only right wing extremist war mongering person is Iggy he has a cold heart.

Henry Samson
said

The Canadian government is a criminal. The crime that the government does is steal Canadians money through a lot of evil tax. Canada has the most tax in all of the other countries of the world, and that is a shame. Now in terms of the unemployment insurance. People should receive their unemployment benefits when they don't work. It's their money. In Canada with pay too much for unemployment insurance, and we pay too much taxes. Canadians pay too much taxes. The Canadian government has $5 billion dollars in its bank, and all that money is fees that people paid for unemployment insurance. I'm not proud to be Canadians. In the United States there is a lot less taxes. I know because I lived there for 4 years. The government is bad. I don't trust politicians.

Max
said

Oh Stevie, get over yourself.
You have absolutely no desire to make the government work - you are a dictator. You have alienated the people and many within your own party. Your desperate Iggy ads are nothing but that - desperate.
Soon you will be looking for a new job, or you could sit at home in Alberta and be a Desperate Housewife.

Tom Yokahama
said

It is said to see the Liberals trying to grandstand for some TV attention. The conservaties have got the most votes the 25 years, the only reason the Liberals ever got in was because Conseratives were divided with reform alliance and PC now that the family is back together the Conservatives will win again if the Liberals decide to commit harikari.

Rick in NB
said

It cost three hundred million dollars for a federal election. Thats the exact amount the military lost on their budget. Since it's back in the government's coffers we got the money.

@ james,
How long have you been talking to these people called "we the voters" ? Do you hear these voices all the time?

Edmonton John
said

I don't believe this is a case of 'spending on top of spending' as some have suggested.

This is more focused spending that follows the proven Keynesian path of providing consumers with a certainty of income that will discourage hoarding and excessive economic inactivity. It is essentially buying our way out of a recession, but letting the consumer benefit directly instead of having it go to corporations or select demographics. For instance, infrastructure spending will benefit mainly young males, with the advantage going to those with a WASPish descent (sorry, but as a construction worker I cannot help but notice the homogeneity of complexion on the job site).

Keynesian policies are no way to deal with an economy that has recovered, and is ineffective in a boom. For that management you need exactly the policies that Harper has dismantled, which is in part why we find ourselves in this perilous condition.

EI reform is a proactive and beneficial step to recovery, and can come out of the money already committed to stimulus, but can directly benefit all Canadians.

Wayne in HRM
said

Unfortunately for the conservatives, they are unable to analyze the situation they now are faced with. When they goaded the opposition in the past into bringing the government down, the Liberals were in no position to fight. The Liberals had a leader who waffled and threatened to bring down the government time and time again but did not follow through. Now Ignatieff could follow the same course, threaten an election and then not follow through. It is obvious that the Cons think that the new leader of the Liberals will continue that failed strategy. Shows how much the Cons live in the past. If Ignatieff doesn't follow through, he will lose his well fought fight to revive the Liberals, and his own integrity. So of course, he will follow through and reject the government and vote to bring it down. But the government won't fall, why? Because they will be supported by their old friends, the Bloc. Together they will form a coalition of the divisive, regional and ideologically dead parties. That move will further erode Tory support in Canada and basically wipe them out in Quebec. This new regional Conservative Party can then fight for the rights of the West, (don't be fooled that they will concede anything to Quebec) which is what they do best, and thus leaving the West ie Alberta) in the same boat it has been in for decades. Time for both Quebec and Alberta to join the political mainstream again, reject their regional parties who have a proven failed track record in bringing much needed reform to their areas. Welcome to the party, reject divisive politics and hateful demagoguery practiced by the Neo-Reform Party of Division.

Frank
said

I agree with Jim Love this is no more and no less than verbal diahrea. Start getting the enconmy rolling and getting people back to work ,instead of wasteing millions on a usless Election, I think if a majority coldn't be reached the last usless election what makes US IGGY any better Other than a made of words, The Only Diff. between IGGY and Dion Dion couldn't sell snow to the Eskimos and this one thinks he can.

AL Ontario
said

Is there EI in the USA?. Maybe we Canadians, will find out if IGGY win's the next election.

Brian S. Iggy needs a Pitbull dog
said

Iggy needa a dog, the Kyoto dog thing has been done, I think he should get a pitbull named Lesser Evil.

Melanie Luvs the Sweater man & his kitten Chedder
said

I Like the sweater man and his kitten Chedder is cute too. He's my man sensative and well balanced and stands up for the right things and he has a nice smile. I will vote for him now that I am 18.

Don M, Regina
said

Give me a break, I worked for over 35 years and paid into EI all that time, never once collecting.
since I retired, I only work casually now and still have to pay EI. If you want to make a change, then exempt us who will never collect any EI. If you make it too easy to collect then there won't be any incentive to find work.

Ron NS
said

The Liberals are just playing games, in hopes of an election while their poll numbers are high. I seem to recall Dion having similiar numbers before the last federal election the Liberals forced...underhanded...but yes, they forced..and then they had their worse results in History.
This is not time for an election, or for Liberal games. Iggy admitted less than 2 weeks ago that Canadians do not want to go to the polls, but Iggy's so power happy he cannot help himself...

Go home Iggy, to England, US, Russia...whatever...you have lived about 2 % of your silver spoon fed life here...you are not Canadian!

Linda Embrassed for Liberals
said

The Liberal pary is such a bunch of clowns they should quit travelling and embarassing Canada.

wondering
said

I am curious about several somethings:
a. Why is it a standard pro-liberal reply, to anything that questions or states a non-liberal-support point, to accuse someone of being a "nonhack", "neo-con hack", etc? Do you not realize that not everyone represents your favourite boogieman?
b. Why do people insist on accusing someone who points out a recorded, historical fact regarding a politician of "slander"? Stating a fact is not slander. And if you really believe it, then have the courage to properly identify yourself so it can be properly addressed. (It's so easy for a coward to make accusations and hide behind a pseudonyme.)

James C. Davis, LLB

Canada Goose Whistler
said

Good on the liberals!
With the phony job report that came out it's hard to say whats up. They talked about 36000 new self employed jobs.
Stats Canada really only has numbers on people that collect EI. When it runs out or when they are waiting for it they are recorded as working. It was very easy to see the job numbers were wrong. This makes me sick Harper doing nothing for out of work Canadians in these tough times except working on attack ads to try to save his own skin.

Obama Fan
said

Since when is quoting a Liberal an attack add. They attack themselves and so will the voters if there is an election that is unwanted. The Liberal Party is divided and has trouble and is trying to distract us from there own internal problems.

Carol Liberal, Liberal Party is Laughing Stock
said

As a liberal I find the Liberal party is the laughing stock of the country.

Bill in BC
said

Must be changed:
Here's a point for you to ponder:

The Liberals under Chretien pirated YOUR pension funds, plus the RCMP, & Public Service to the tune of 6 BILLION $$$ so that they could claim a budget surplus. The lawsuit that the pensioners association rasied has still not seen a courtroom. To use the CFSA military pension for a point in particular. Once the pension funds were STOLEN, the contribution rates for the military personnel were increased by 7.3%, the RCMP & Public Service rates also went up similar amounts.

So it begs the question: who are the real crooks? A lawfully elected government that is trying to fix the probelms caused by previous governments or someone who wants a chance to topple the government and bring an unneccessary election 0 that he'll lose anyway? BTW, how's your pension check? It's smaller than it would have been had YOUR money not been stolen to finance a lie.

Frank the Butcher
said

As a butcher I like the Liberal leaders style.

Jackie Barrett
said

Maybe Stephen Harper and his right wing cronies reluctance to reform Employment Insurance as more Canadians are getting pink slips will be their downfall.

Furthermore, since Employment Insurance has produced massive surpluses, they can clearly afford to make those changes without making a significant dent to Canadian finances.

Therefore, no matter what "low blows" Stephen Harper will have on his opponents, especially Michael Ignatieff and Jack Layton, his days as Prime Minister will be numbered as long as acts like a bully and uses "divide and conquer" politics on poor provinces.

Listen Canadians, Stand Up For Canada, and give Stephen Harper another surprises, a Pink Slip.

Mike from Toronto
said

Great more taxes...NDP should be renamed to the RaiseTaxParty cause they all know how to do. Take money from productive citizens and give it to the lazy and uneducated, paving the path to socalism and poverty for all.

Balgonie Bob
said

If Iggy triggers an election and actually wins, does that mean we will then have a President of Canada?

Goldens
said

The opposition should help the government get people back to work and quite looking for ways to keep people unemployed.

John W
Bridgetown NS

Cherly Brampton
said

There are not enough safe seats for the liberal party in Toronto to hope to remain as official opposition even the NDP is considered more moderate now.
Like the USA and Britian people do not want anything to do with the Liberals.

Jim Love
said

It seems, once again, that every time the LPC comes up with some scewball idea to create an "election issue" , the Conservatives get blamed by those who cannot or will not see through the Liberal baffegab. Come on people!! Try to think for yourselves for a change and smell the aroma of the verbal diaharea coming from the Opposition side of the House.

Bill W James
said

Tono,Tono,Tono...Your one vote went to a single MP.
Perhaps you had a special ballet...But no where on mine did it say vote here for your favorite government.
You Neo-Con hacks are such a joke.

Toronto Gal
said

True Liberals cannot make Parliment work but Jack can unless he wants to become official opposition replacing the Liberals.

Wanda Louis :Laughing at Liberal Party
said

A repulican war hawk trying to sell himself a bleeding heart liberal is the biggest joke in Canada.

Mario - Rockland
said

EI reform needs to happen and happen fast. 30+ billion surplus in the EI fund, hundreds of thousands of jobs gone and this government sits on it's ass. Reducing the minimum hour requirement for a 2 year period sounds good to me. Where's that 40 billion stimulator they passed in the budget? Oh wait, i know... Still in the coffers. Don't any of you bring the Senate or the opposition cause that budget was passed in March/April.
No more excuses, time for change of government!

Marg
said

The last paragraph says it all. "I cannot continue to make parliament work unless we get substantive EI reform before this Parliament rises in June". "I"!!!!!!!!

Who knew that Michael Ignatieff was the "one and only" making Parliament work!!!!!!!!

Just goes to show you the ego.

By the way Ignatieff is all for ABC.

ANYWHERE BUT CANADA

Fisherman - Something fishey with the Liberals
said

The Liberal Party of Canada seems to have something to hide something wanting to rush to an election before we find out what it is.
My gut tells me something is very fishing with the Liberal Party right now. I just don't trust them.

bull%$#@
said

hey jim in edmonton... you're pretty naive if you think there is any correlation between our debt and e.i.. and your assessment of people not needing e.i. because they'll just go out and get another job that much quicker is a load of crap! what job??? they aren't out there. maybe its just that albretans have their head so far up their ass because they've had it so good for so long, but the rest of us cdns are a lot more realistic about this. we don't know if this is going to turn around, or how long it will take.
nevermind that the 90s the liberals were the ones who changed e.i. so barely anyone could get it, and as such the pot ballooned into the tens of billions, which the governemnt then slowly siphoned from it for other projects.
all my working life i have paid into e.i. but have never needed it. but i'll gladly pay into it so that those who need it can have access to it, and i'll be damned if the government uses that money for anything other than to help those who also have paid into it!

Canadian
said

We can't afford another election. Liberals=higher taxes and lighter sentences for Criminals.

Dunny from Manotick
said

Making EI benefits more equal across the country with a small increase in benefit payments makes more sense that giving anything to over compensated auto union workers and pensioners. Where was the government when the high tech industry went through it's many recessions?

Lector Vancouver - I want a Liberal War Leader
said

We need a war hungry leader so I will be voting Liberal.
Obama and Harper are too much a like.

damien
said

There is no way the Bloc will die on its sword for this "liberal" idea. The Bloc has the most to lose. If Iggy looks to gain seats in Quebec at the demise of the Bloc, Gilles et al will make sure the Harper government stays right where they are. Current poles do not look good for the Bloc...Only when Iggy loses his lustre in Quebec would the Bloc allow a confidence vote to be defeated. Either that or wait the 5 years before the next "scheduled" election. Can Iggy wait that long? The Bloc is there, not for the betterment of Canada, they are a seperatist party whose sole aim is to what is best for Quebec, they are not ashamed to say it. But they know their cause is not helped by a strong and popular National Liberal leader and party. The only way they count is if they have significant numbers in the house to swing the minority government. They love the Harper conservatives. Way better then they like a Chretien liberal majority government where they had no say, no power, no way to influence anything done in Ottawa. But now, they hold the key, they loved Dion for the same reason, he could never carry Quebec, the Bolc would still sweep la belle provence. But Iggy is a real danger. A cultured intellectual. An Academic who apprciates the arts and has reached the pinnacle of academia?nope, steven is not going anywhere...

Union Man Ready to wipe out the Liberals
said

The NDP know the Liberal leader did not even have the support of Liberal delgates last time they got to vote and the NDP are ready to wipe of the Liberals.

Self Employed does not want or need EI
said

Extending benefits to self employed workers is stupid. So what I feel like a month off so I will lay myself off.
As a self employed work who employes other people I do not want or need EI.
This is the stupidest Idea I ever heard and the worst excuse for an election ever.

DCR-Toronto
said

It's a darn good thing we have the Conservatives in power right now. Here is the NDP and Liberals, supported by the Bloc, trying to turn our country into a welfare state.
They are suggesting that a person can get a YEAR of benefits, after only working 45 days. This is absolutely NUTS. The people who actually have jobs will pay the rest to sit around for almost ten months of the year. Iggy is so out of his league. He is simply another academic having his strings pulled by the Liberal elite. Back to the classroom Iggy. Maybe take an economics course this time.

Jill: Canada is Becoming a Super Power Now
said

Canada is an Energy Super Power on the way to a Super Power we keep getting stonger in the World we are on the right Track now. The Conservatives are firm but fair. We are not going to roll the dice with some extremeist because he wrote a book.

Taxpayer (Ontario)
said

The Canadian public can ill afford these kind of changes to our EI system. The Libreral estimate (1.5 billion)isn't even close to how much this would really cost (anyone remember the gun registry) the Canadian taxpayers who are getting tired of the opposition parties threats of an election. Between the automakers bailouts and now EI changes this cost us all dearly.

Enough is enough!

Lazy Bum voting Liberal
said

If I can work a few weeks and get EI for a year sounds good to mean, I hate work.

Darren Bawiz
said

Liberals had 20 years to fix the EI system. If they cause an election over this now, they should be wiped off the polical roadmap by the voters.

james
said

bring on the election iggy, if and i say if you and your party have the guts. we the voters will give you something you wont forget. A ONE WAY TICKET BACK TO THE UNITED STATES.

Dione Montreal
said

I notice the Book True Patriot Love does NOT have a Canadian flag on it.

Enough stupidity to go around
said

The Liberals are stupid enough to think they can win a majority by putting small business in a position where the EI premiums will rise. The NDP were stupid enough in B.C. to try and get the minimum wage raised in a time of finanacial crisis .They went down to a resounding defeat

Bill W James
said

3B Harper slush fund
Flaperty buys 7B sub-prim mortgages he and Harpo created. Tax Billions to dinosaur auto company's. Trickle down does not work. Were talking about out of work Canadians feeding there families. Growing an economy is same as growing a flower, you do it from the ground up, and what better place to start then by feeding our children.

JD
said

This is Harper's last stand, thankfully he and his Conservative pals will be put into role of official opposition very soon.

linda miller
said

If the government opens that can of worms - they might have to do an accounting of ei funds - and not put it in general revenue -
They contribute not one dime - in fact take money - so howcome they are in charge of it anyway?? We know their accounting system is hugely flawed.

Must be changed,
said

There def should be changes. As a recently released member of the Forces after 23 years of Paying into this government scam I am not allowed to collect a cent.
Not just the military but all gov jobs are in the same boat. So if you do the math,
65,000 troops, rounded 70 permonth, then times that by average stay 5 years that is a lot of money, hence the word scam.

jim from winnipeg
said

wasn't it the liberals who gutted the ei fund under the likes of golf ball jean and flagless paul ? bring on the election opposition, we the voters are in no mood for a vote, and besides it would be political suicide for iggy and company.

Joshua in Toronto
said

Am I to believe.
Bob Rae - Finance Minister
Ruby Dhalla - Human Resources
Mike Ignatieff - the War file
Dion - Minister of Industry.
Sorry I just cannot take the Liberals weak team seriously.

Bill in BC
said

So Ignatieff says HE's the one making Parliament work!!??!! Huh, and here I thought Parliament was made up of more than 3 or 4 persons...Must mean that my MA in Political Science was a waste of time since obviously I know nothing about our political and constitutional system. I am truly well past tired of this continuing nonsense. For a man who is allegedly so intelligent that he thinks and acts as if he's better than most Canadians, he is demonstrating a remarkable degree of stupidity. Way to win votes and influence the electorate Michael. Maybe the "Great Leader" should take some time to reacquaint himself with Canada and her citizens as he is definately missing something important. The Liberal Party of Canada also has some serious probelms if they actually think that this sort of thing is the way ahead. Take a time out and think...hard. If the LPC ever want to see power again, it has to connect with Canadians and show some vision, something that has been lacking since Trudeau's (the liberal demigod) first term as PM. Since then the LPC has simply become a party of entitlement, where they seem to think they can do anything without consequences. Not so. Even within their ranks, they act in the shadows-especially against those who don't play by the unwritten rules. (Who is REALLY pulling the string in the Dhalla affair? The Conservatives, Bloc & NDP have nothing to gain there. For a woman who is so repected by the other parties to be treated like this by her own raises a lot of questions.) I waste electrons typing this, though, as I know some character will immeadiately claim that I am a "hack for conservatives" and the evil Mr. Harper.
Oh, well. Life's a bitch.

Wade Ens - Sending a Birthday Card is not enough
said

The more I see of the new Liberals Supreme Leader in waiting, the more as a lost Liberal, I am looking at the Conservatives, everyday the new Liberals are doing something crazy, they could not handle a 2 Nanny complaint they sure cannot handle the country.
Sending a Conservative a Happy Birthday card doesn't quailify you to run the country.

Wendy
said

Harper is too busy with his childish attack ads to worry about Canadians.
I think it's great that Micheal Ignatieff is well educated, respected in other countries and has had the opportunity to live in other countries.

Jablonski
said

If the liberals hadn't used the employment insurance that workers and employers put into the fund for their own general revenue there would be an affordable plan with resources now.

Using insurance premiums as a means to "balance" the budget is despicable. Ralph Goodale was part of that. If he thinks EI needs reforming now, perhaps he should have had a similar vision when he was in a senior cabinet position. He is such a pathetic hypocrite.

Nancy: Ignatieff Risky Gamble NOT Reasonable
said

New Liberal risky gamble so people could work 2 weeks and collect EI for 1 year is way out there. Pay in 12 towards EI and collect $1,750.00 per month for a year while brush up on the golf swing would break the bank the people were consulted and the people said we want it extended for 5 weeks and thats the reasonable step Prime MInister Harper took.

Mario
said

Sounds like Iggy thinks he can win the next election. Lets just hope no party gets a majority or we are all going to be sorry. Considering the liberals are who put the EI policies in place and discriminated against seasonal workers I doubt this is any more than campaigning. In other words, more lies. There is allot of profit to be squandered the way it is, so nothing will change.

Tono
said

Is anyone else tired of this constant threatening by the Liberals to 'topple' the government we elected?

It may be a minority government, but that doesn't give the Liberals the right to decide when to hold elections et al.

If it was the Liberal Party in a minority government, they would be unopposed and their decisions would be unanimous. There would be no way they would allow the Conservatives to threaten them the way they threaten Harper's government.

Samual
said

Bring on the election!
Time for this government to go!

More posturing by Iggy!
said

Aren't we all getting sick of this wingnut threatening to trigger elections and then backing down because he simply CANNOT WIN. Face it Iggy, Canadians don't want you as PM, or even in the country. Just go away and leave the business of forming a government to someone competent.

Oh, yes. Before someone tries to paint me as a "conhack", I don't support any one party. My vote goes to the candidate that can serve this country best. (Iggy ain't it, as he's so amply demonstrated.)

Jim in Edmonton
said

I am an unemployed oil worker in Alberta and I do not want these changes to go through ... why? Because all the spending on top of spending will increase our national debt to the point where our children and grand children can't pay for it. We may be even at that point now. 2. studies have shown that most people who's EI run's out find work pretty quickly .. what does that tell you. On almost every single challange the gov't has, the NDP answer is to spend. As far as the liberals go, Iggy won't be around long enough to pay his fair share. Once he's defeated in the PM run, he'll move off to Harvard, or Oxford, or Yale etc. and of course he'll write a book about the whole experience. Stop spending, the economy is improving and we'll survive. Ps. my family and I are finding it pretty tough right now, we've had to refinance our home to keep up but we know this is just short term. We don't want to pass on a debt worse than it is now to our children. We are making due with less, not asking the gov't to spend our children's future.

Robert Brise
said

Eh! Iggy just go back to the USA, where you belong!!!

Or better yet lets bring on an election seeing as you're so Cocky.

Tories begone!
said

Fine, let's go to an election! I can't wait to see Harper and his merry band of idiots turfed out on their butts! Even having Cretien back in power would be better then this right wing, elitist regime constantly dividing the country for their own gain!

GTA
said

If the Liberals and their buddies the NDP force an election over EI, both Iffy and the nutbar Libby will be joining the EI line. I can't believe we actually pay these clowns.

MAL
said

Stevie..... Brinkmanship does mean that eventually you will fall over the brink. Even we supporters have had enough of corporate bailouts but nothing for workers, of fake retraining programs that don't provide any new skills or languages, of great economic resurgence packages that 6 months later are nowhere to be found. I can't see myself voting liberal... but rest assured this is one PC vote heading for an independent.

Jeff Lewis
said

Good grief - this is the same government that almost for a year kept playing brinksmanship with the opposition trying to goad them into calling an election because they felt they'd come out with a majority.

Then, when the opposition wouldn't pull the trigger, the Tories violated their own law to call an election (and please, spare me the 'the law was meant for majority governments - read the actual law - it doesn't say anything about minority or majority status of the ruling government), ended with almost the exact same government.

Then the opposition, tired of being bullied, grouped together and called the Tories' bluff sending Harper to the GG to prorogue Parliament out of fear he'd lose control.

Now, having lost popular support to the Liberals, the Tories have turned to *very* personal attack ads, slander, and whining about how the Liberals keep bullying THEM.

What goes around, comes around Mr. Harper. If you can't take what you give, you might want to think about how badly you've acted before calling down anyone else.

Jeff Lewis, Burnaby BC

LF
said

This is not the time for an election. Give your heads a shake! In the mean time, maybe our politicians, both Fed. and Provincial to take a reduction in their pay. Our government is really bankrupt, sort of like GM and Chrysler. We never hear about what they are willing to do for the country, except hand out billions to companies that can't make a go of it.

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