Number of EI recipients jumped by 10.6 per cent

Flaherty revealed Canadians should brace for a 'substantially larger' deficit, as a result of weaker economic growth, tax revenue and auto bailout money.

CTV British Columbia: St. John Alexander with details

New statistics out today show the number of B.C. workers signing up for employment insurance jumped by almost 27 per cent from February to March. That's more than double the national average.

CTV News Channel: BNN's Amanda Lang on the E.I. jump

There was more than a 10 percent increase in employment insurance recipients in the month of March from the previous month.

CTV News Channel: Andrew Sharpe, Centre for the Study of Living Standards

The number of Canadians collecting EI has jumped more than 10 per cent, and the numbers are not a surprise, it is unclear when the trend will end.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Tue. May. 26 2009 4:07 PM ET

The number of Employment Insurance beneficiaries jumped by 10.6 per cent -- or 65,300 people -- in March from the previous month, Statistics Canada reported Tuesday, a surge attributed to significant increases in Alberta and British Columbia.

The hike, which was the largest month-to-month increase since labour market conditions began rapidly deteriorating in October 2008, puts the number of EI beneficiaries at 681,400.

Since October, the number of EI beneficiaries nationwide has risen by 36.2 per cent.

Both Alberta and B.C. posted month-over-month increases that were higher than the national average.

In Alberta, the number of EI beneficiaries rose by 32.1 per cent to 42,200, which is the fastest monthly increase for the province. Since October, the number of EI beneficiaries in the province has increased by 131.1 per cent.

In B.C., the number of beneficiaries in March jumped by 26.7 per to 82,200, which was also the fastest monthly increase for the province. Since October, the number of beneficiaries in B.C. has surged by 80.5 per cent.

As the news reached Parliament, the opposition parties continued to hammer the government to change the EI system.

Both the Liberals and the NDP have been pressuring the Tories to extend the duration of EI benefits and soften eligibility requirements so workers with less yearly hours of work can qualify.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff pointed to fishermen in Atlantic Canada who don't have enough hours to receive benefits.

"Collapsing prices are forcing fishermen to let their crew go ... Thousands of them might not qualify for EI at all," he said.

Despite the news, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the rise in EI beneficiaries shows the country's unemployment system is helping Canadians weather the recession.

Looking at year-over-year increases, StatsCan reported that the number of EI beneficiaries has more than doubled in most major urban centres.

Between March 2008 and March 2009, EI recipients jumped by 187.0 per cent in Calgary to 15,400, while the number of recipients jumped by 185.6 per cent in Edmonton, to 14,700.

"In Alberta, the drop in employment in recent months has mostly hit construction, trade, manufacturing and professional, scientific and technical services," the agency said.

In B.C., the number of EI recipients tripled in Cranbrook and Kelowna and more than doubled in 13 other regions from March 2008 to March 2009.

Big jumps in B.C. cities

The number of beneficiaries in Victoria increased by 159.4 per cent and by 136.0 per cent in Vancouver.

"During the same period, the decrease in employment in British Columbia affected a large number of sectors, including construction; manufacturing; trade; forestry and logging; and transportation and warehousing," StatsCan said.

The agency reported some good news Tuesday. The number of initial and renewal claims in March was 318,900, down a modest 1.9 per cent compared to February.

Despite the decrease, the number of claims was the second highest since comparable data first became available in 1997.

Seven provinces recorded an increase in claims, the biggest being in Alberta (up 16.0 per cent), Prince Edward Island (up 8.6 per cent), Saskatchewan (up 8.5 per cent) and Manitoba (up 5.8 per cent).

Ontario and B.C. both had fewer claims in March, after posting the highest number of claims in February since 1997.

Andrew Sharpe, executive director of the Ottawa-based Centre for the Study of Living Standards, told CTV News Channel that the numbers aren't surprising, given that unemployment rose in March.

Still, Sharpe noted that the number of Canadians claiming benefits could drop in the coming months, but for all the wrong reasons.

In some parts of the country, EI expires after six months, meaning recipients will be "cut off" in the future, said Sharpe.

"Of course we can change that through policies," he said, adding that unemployment will likely continue to rise over the coming months.

Comments are now closed for this story

bc ottawa
said

Sorry to say but loosening the requirements for ei is just going make it a hay day for the system abusers of which there are many. (why a lot of tightening took place on the system) I see it everyday our work ethic is going down the tubes.

Even if they could get a job at 75% of their previous wage it is beneath them.

Give your head a shake people the Liberals are going to continually hold the government hostage with a threat of election.

Where has socialism gotten us? We don't have to take responsibility for our actions the government and taxpayers will fix it for us.

Time for the politicians in this country to grow some "-----" and stop jumping whenever some special interest group whines.

Hey how about this, there is job in your area that pays even minimum wage you take it and ei subsidizes the rest to 75%.

The bank bashers are always quick to mention that. Guess what the mortgages that the government took back if any they already owned via CMHC. If you don't understand the system please refrain from comment. As far as interest rates did anyone hold a gun to your head. You want to be thankful we have the banking system we do. Take responsibility for your own actions again!!!! A concept that seems to be forgotten by Liberals and NDP

Andrea
said

To Adam & Steve,

I hate to break the news to you both, but it is not Obama to blame, it is our govt.It is the international trade agreements that were signed by our govt while Bush was still President.

Obama has nothing to do with the loss of our Canadian forestry jobs in BC.

If you want somebody to blame , blame our govt, and the softwood lumber agreement our current signed with the USA under Bush.

Shame on the 2 of you to put down the President of the USA.

Keep in mind Hilary backs up Obama''s decisions.

You two have no idea of what is happening behind close doors in the USA Congress, so watch what you say!

Most of the problems we are are having are caused from the past trade international trade deals that were signed while Bush was President.

Obviously, the 2 of you know nothing about international trade.

Lloyd from BC
said

Good old numbers game. We have more people living in Canada this year than last year. The numbers will change. I would like to know how many people who are just retiring are drawing EI. I would bet quite a few.

And now for the cup is half FULL side to speak
said

I did notice that the article did not say what the actual EI rate was, only the percentage it increased (great for catching headlines). NOw here I am gussing, but I think the the EI rate is around 6%. If this is the case 96% of people are STILL WORKING! NOw that would be some positive news. I do feel for those that have lost their jobs, but I would really appreciate it if we reported the news from the positive side rather than always the negative. I think both are "self foe-filling prophecy"

foo bar
said

I'm glad to see this revamp of EI

London
said

We need to elect a liberal government.

elisa
said

Holy ....! I thought we WEREN'T going to have it as bad as the US!!

I got laid-off, went back to school, and got a job...as did the rest of my class. That should make a few government people happy. Now I can pay GM pensions, like we pay for the debt retirement for Hydro.

Somehow I have to pay my bills, save for my kids education, and my own retirement...but GM comes first. Stephen Harper has lost my vote, but I'm sure the Liberals and the NDP would do the same.

Things just aren't fair, now we have thousands of Canadians unemployed and I feel for them. There is nothing worse than feeling the stress of how to pay bills, and put food on the table. It's time that our government ensures that Canadians can continue working... to pay taxes so the government can spend it wisely so that other Canadians and people in the world benefit. I don't mind paying taxes if the money is used FAIRLY!

Jay-TO
said

Well Bunny, some Canadians can claim now with just 45 days + 60 hours! Shocking that the liberals would lower qualification by just 60 hours. Big deal, eh? You seem to have inhaled the kool-aid this time around. Cons are complete idiots. So easy to dupe you guys into anything. Ever question any of the propaganda neo-con central sends out? We have the most stringent standards here in Toronto at 910 hours. By your logic everyone else in Canada are freeloading bums. Including firewall-less Alberta.

al from calgary
said

To Mark:
It's almost as funny as listening to all the liberals who were so anti american just a few short months ago and are now pro american.

To Marie:
And just what is it exactly that Iggy or the Libs would have done differently except give them more of our money than the cons.

One Last Thing:
For a party who preaches tolerance it is the libs who resort to name calling and then whine when someone calls them names.

MAL
said

Where is the incentive package? Iggy has already pledged to support it and the budget has passed. If we were invaded by Greenland would it take us 6 months to get the funds to increase our military defense? Hardly. Get the money out, it was supposed to be fast tracked through the approval/environment processes so let's go... I have lots of neighbours ready to pave their driveway, repair their roof, install AC, etc and lots of contractors are ready to start in on these projects, then go spend the money on groceries and clothing and invigorating the retail sector.

That was what was SUPPOSED to happen wasn't it?!?

Jayme
said

Streel
Canada was the last 1st world country to go in to a recession.

schpid
said

Doesn't this "trend" happen around this time each year in BC when all the Seasonal workers quit so they can take their summers off at the publics expense?

Red X
said

Dear Realist & Samual, when someone contributes to the Conservative Party $100-$400 they get a 75% tax credit funded by the taxpayers. Last year the CPC raised $21.9 million...

Harper is an unprincipled fiscal conservative helping GM.

Ignatieff will likely be the next PM the way the polls are going which could explain the partially tax payer funded attack ads...

Streel
said

Can this gov. get anythg right? 7 mths. ago Harper was preaching that our economy was strong. To thk. he claims 2 b an economist - haha. Now the finance minister has made a multi-billion dollar error in the deficit forecast. Both should resign immediately. It's way past time to get new blood in the party.

Marg MM
said

Cambob, If CTV were to "highlight" as you so often suggest(actually it is getting a little tiresome)then, yes, we could skip the mindless sheep offerings of some Liberals and carry on!!!

Any self-respecting Canadian, and I know there are alot of us, don't want to live in a welfare state, being propped up by BIG GOVERNMENT. We prefer to work hard, pay our taxes, and don't whine and complain all of the time about not getting enough.Perhaps some of you whiners should try it and take a little responsibility for your actions, instead of always blaming Government for what you don't have. Government hand- outs should be reserved for those that really need it, not for those that are able to fend for themselves.Working for 45 days to collect EI for up to a year, just isn't responsible Governing.

Red X
said

Well a few months ago Harper was in denial. Now that he has been a bad steward of the Economy, people tire of his sanctimony and hypocrisy.

The "real unemployment" rate is 12.4% when you include the recent layoffs waiting to be called back, part timers who want full time OR people who were counted as giving up and not part of the labour force.

Kat
said

Here's the problem...this article refers to March 2009.

What was happening in March? Well, CBC announced lay-offs, CN also, GM started idling plants, Pratt & Whitney announced lay-offs, and this is just to start.

So now they are going to update their regional rates of unemployment using numbers from 2 months ago. The unemployment numbers are lagging indicators but it's these number they use to set the number of hours required to qualify.

I don't think the system is broke, I think we just need to look at the trigger.

mike
said

Shirlee writes....Back in 1981/82 we were in an even worse recession, job losses galore, the interest rate was 24 %, who was in power do you think? The country wasn't screaming at the government in power, no it was every man/woman for themselves. Thats BS....how do you explain the defeat of a perfectly good Liberal Government at the hands of a liar and thief like Brian Mulroney and the Conservatives?? lol

Mark
said

Funny listening to Albertans. They sure support US ideals, republicanism, war on terror, Bush et al but now all of a sudden the US is a bad thing because of Igantieff's history there. Laughable hypocracy.

Ted
said

It's my first hand opinion the EI crisis is REAL. Since last October 370,000 people have lost their jobs. Today I heard that Stats Canada BUNGLED the jobless stats. They didn't even counting new grads entering the work force. The full report is scheduled to come out next month. This only validates what I have been saying all along which is (the jobless rate is much worse than the government and media are telling us) I am even hearing a new breed on ads on the radio telling us (everything is fine, the sky is not falling so run out and buy a new car, any car.. the jobless rate is only 6% and thats a normal rate for your area...( in other words don't worry be happy) These are new generic ads and I am not sure who sponsors them but it's a little scary since the average intellegent thinking person knows it's worse than they are telling us. These are the kind of ads they played in Russia before Russia fell.

Gail Picard
said

The Liberals removed $54 BILLION from E.I and put it into general revenue,in order to claim another one of those phoney surpluses. That money could have been used on what it was meant for.

terri
said

Come off it Cam. Gas prices are usually lower everywhere else but Alberta. You would think it would be lower for Albertans but it is not. Obviously you have never lived here.Just another person shooting off at the mouth I guess.

WESTERNER
said

Shirlee - Sask. I agree with you "been there done that". The 80's was brutal in Calgary BUT we got over and got on ONLY now we have overspent due to being "so confident with credit". Now due to higher Mortgages, Credit easy to get and yes interest on Cards was not as high as the 80's BUT we have increased it as a standard of living - i.e. charge groceries, etc. So when it bottomed out we are now left with the tab for overindulgencies. This being kids/young adults spending way past their abilities to pay back i.e. 30-40 Mortgages instead of the 25 year we had in the 80's. This is banking gravy money on interest charges - for Mortgages and Charge Cards. Visa and Master Card are unregulated and can do what they want with interest rates and the consumer bits the bullet when irresponsible. Banks made it way to easy to get money and they gave it to people who don't know how to live on Cash!! So we suffer the outcome and we can blame no-one but ourselves for the outcome. Watch the Government program in the House Of Commons debating Visa, Mastercards and Banks in regards to Hotel Industry, Grocery Industry, Restaurant industry - they have been doubled in Merchant charges on Charge Cards.

Elaine Grant
said

Roger T says,
"Poor management of the country and internal policies has created the down fall of the economy"
Sure Roger. The GLOBAL recession had NOTHING to do with it.
BTW,You wouldn't happen to be from Toronto,would you?

John
said

And in times like these you would like a guy like "American Iggy" run our country??

Marie
said

Furthermore, Posters had better get their facts straight about Mr. Iggnatieff before swallowing the CONS lies and ad attacks. Gullible and clueless no doubt

Sandra-Ottawa
said

It is about time Alberta citizens got some of their money back.
They have been paying into the system for years and had never asked for a dime back.
What goes around comes around.
They deserve every cent they get from a broken system.

Marie
said

I would rather see our tax dollars go to the unemployed that to the banks and the Bankrupt car manufactures. Give me a break already. People need to have money to feed and house their familes never mind bailouts to mis- managed companies. This ridicules government has got to go. Anyone else but the Reforming CONS literlly

This country needs a federal election NOW.
said

The Conservatives have no plan except giving subsidies to banks and car companies.

Give money to ordinary Canadians so they can stimulate the economy with spending.

No, not more lending made available.

If there has to be debt, let it be government debt to help ordinary Canadians. No more corporate handouts.

Cambob
said

Dear CTV:
Please highlight the "I Hate Concervatives" in Red and Highlight the "I Hate Liberals" in Blue. That way we can skim past the mindless sheep and read the blogs that may actually offer opinions.

If a person claims EI then they have 'earned' it. I see no problem with people claiming an insurance they are FORCED to pay into. The structure of EI is meant to be a temporary measure of income based on your work term that allows you to seek employment if you lose your job.
Wailing about a 1-2% increase in claims considering the market change from October 08 to April 09 is ridiculous.

cam
said

Excuse the rest of the country for not shedding croc tears for Alberta.

Politicians from there have been shafting the rest of the nation for decades with high energy prices while giving away Canadian natural resources to American multi-national corporations.

Maybe their Yankee pals will lend them a helping hand now?NOT!

Careful what critter you chose to lie with, you may get cooties.

Pete, Burlington
said

So lets get this straight, with an ever increasing number of people claiming EI, falling exports and more companies on the brink of failure, the NDP and Liberals think that now is a good time to make it easier for people to claim EI and remain on it for longer?

I guess we should expect nothing better from them as Layton never makes any sense and Iggy will probably be living back in his real home of the USA before the ensuing debts really impact the taxpayers, so he wont be paying for it anyway.

JB in Calgary
said

A Call Out To ALL The Conservative Bashers!!!

Give your heads a shake people. The Conservatives have announced project after project, the money is there, so start complaining about your local officials not moving the money to get infrastructure projects moving.

Two major projects so far, Toronto and Calgary have both had Transit projects announced so start writing your Mayor asking when this is going to get moving.

Everybody is blaming the Conservatives...For What? The money is moving, even with the Liberals and the NDP holding everything up.

Now the Libs/NDP want 400 hours? Come on, nobody will ever work again, that is 50, 8 hour work days. So what work two months and then take the rest of the year off? Do you realize the taxes it would take to pay for that? 75% of your wage will go towards EI premiums. You want to talk about paying for automotive funding and it's cost? Pick up a calculator and crunch some numbers people.

And Finally, you all want to put the Liberals back in power? Why so Iggy can win some drunken bet he had with the Harvard Alum? "I bet you $200,000US I can become PM of Canada within two years," Iggy says falling over a table. "I'll take that bet, Hickup," some prissy American replies.

Come On. Why not just let Obama run the country for us then?

sick fo politics
said

hi folks, got us a problem, what if you are in an area that is completely conservative, even if you vote for the other guy, this person will win, I am in Kelly Blocks area, was Caroline Skeltons prior to her resigning, it is mostly conservative area here, so even when i do vote for the other guy, not much to choose from now i can see that one, i too think there is something very wrong with the conservatives, they have done nothing for us for which i can see now,, except the working low income tax,, way to go guys, but ei hasnt changed, well it has maybe for some people but not for others,,

Too many people with their hands out to government
said

Harper will not surrender to their demands.

Thank you, Prime Minister Harper.

Astonished
said

EI needs changes?

You mean to tell me that people need EI?

Isn't everyone to be multi-millionaires, owning 2 cars, 3 houses, etc., by the time they're 30 years of age?

At least that's what the Government thought and instilled into everyone as they cut EI Premiums and Welfare (basically all safety nets), that if you're not rich by age 30, you're lazy and not doing what is required so you therefore don't need Welfare or EI.

You mean to now tell me that the Government was wrong all along?

Raise EI. Cut military spending.
said

Stop subsidizing the US empire while Canadians are impoverished.

Harper is desperately wasting money
said

so that he won't have to help Canadians get through the recession . . . because helping ordinary Canadians during recession is SOCIALISM.

Harper doesn't like socialism unless it helps his corporate buddies.

MazMan
said

THE GOVERNMENT OWES ME!THE GOVERNMENT OWES ME!THE GOVERNMENT OWES ME!
THE GOVERNMENT OWES ME!THE GOVERNMENT OWES ME!THE GOVERNMENT OWES ME!THE GOVERNMENT OWES ME!

The Canadian National Anthem

Jon
said

I laugh when I hear the liberals want to make it easier to get EI. If anything, it should be HARDER to get.

Jim in Ottawa
said

The number of receiptients will jump even higher if Ignatieff gets his way by handing out EI to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who hasn't put in enough hours to deserve it.

PeterS
said

Whereas I empathise with the unemployed and wish them luck in finding new jobs, I must admit that I find this report to be a bit alarmist. By reporting the percentage increase and not reporting the actual unemployment rate sensationalizes the situation. The large percentage increases in actual numbers by area could represent only a 1% to 2% overall increase in the actual unemployment rate in Canada.

Greg in the Hammer
said

Someone forward this to Harper, since I'm pretty sure he still thinks there's no problem.

AJW-Ottawa
said

I agree with confused in Ottawa. the number of hours that you have to work varies in each geographical region. In Ottawa, you have to have worked 700 hours before even being considered.
I think the whole EI system has to be re-vamped and I don't know what the problem is with the Harper government why it hasn't been done yet?

How about contracting for awhile people? Nothing wrong with that

Unemployed in BC
said

Very interesting for those of us in BC who just re-elected the Liberals and Gordon Campbell.
He just gave himself a big fat raise last fall and he's making sure he's going to be front and center at 2010 Olympics. He'll profit tons from all but BC is going to suffer with unemployment and long bread lines. We are already seeing HUGE increases at food banks here and a lot of the clients are small children. For SHAME, Gordon Campbell.

T Thattil
said

Since 2006 the # of employed hit the HIGHEST EVER record in october 2008, since then the global recession has put many people out of work. But still there are OVER 400,000 MORE PEOPLE WORKING NOW than in 2006. Also now there are more on EI benefits than in 2008, thats why the Canadain economy will be more resilient than any in the industrialized world.

Harper's cat bite his tongue!
said

THERE YOU GO TORIES SUPPORTER!

NOW OUR UMEMPLOYED % WENT ABOVE 10% and now stop telling us that it isn't so it is not bad as Liberal?

LOL - Now cat caught your tongue!

American Iggy
said

The Conservatives changes to EI to make it easier for Canadians to receive these benefits is obviously working. It is refreshing to see such solid leadership during these trying economic times.

bren
said

Notice if you will thyat the media..being alarmist and trying to get headlines..mentions nowhere in the article that our unemployment rate is well below 9%. it hit 11% under the liberals, and has been over ten percent three or four times in the last ten years...with no world wide recession!

Edwin from Toronto
said

$7 billions to 6,100 GM workers, over $1 million each

Where is the money for over 610,000 EI Recipients?

Rose
said

We are still in better shape then the USA but if we giving giving the money away we will go down the tube just like them wake up people don't just sit on EI go out and fins your own job it may not pay as much but you will have pride in what you do.The union guys have got to learn how to really work. Fpr get unions they are a thing of the past.

Niagara George
said

When oil hit the ridiculous highs of last summer, all the Albertans that post here did not hesitate to ridicule Ontario. The oil and the cash were theirs to keep!!

Now that the unemployment rate is heading up, I say the problem is theirs to keep. Let them pay the EI out of last year's windfall.

L in NB
said

My company cut hours from 15 employees because we were the last ones hired. They went to the Federal Government to apply for a workshare program that would cover a percentage of the hours we have lost. Because we were only 3.5% of the company they shot it down. Here is the summary at the end of the e-mail. "The percentage of layoff within the organization only represents 3.5% of their total employees, therefore the social impact on the community is considered very low. Go figure so what percentage do they classify as a social impact on the community? In my books even 1 person losing their job or getting their hours cut is a social impact on the community and to their families. The reason for the cutbacks they can't afford to pay us to sit around and do nothing. If I was an employer I would feel the same way. We have jobs to work not just sit and do nothing.

Dean
said

"The agency reported some good news Tuesday. The number of initial and renewal claims in March was 318,900, down a modest 1.9 per cent compared to February."

Might this be because 1.9 per cent
no longer qualify for EI? Hardly good news.

Brian in Saskatchewan
said

I'm shocked. It was just a short time ago Harper and our Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall said Canada and especially Saskatchewan would not feel the effects of the economic downturn in the States. I don't believe this article because our revered politicians would never lie to us, would they? I'd better take my pajamas off because I must have been dreaming.

Realist
said

Samual...

Conservative ads are paid for by the Conservative party, not tax payers.

If you're worried about Harper helping GM, the alternative NDP or Liberals would have spent 10 fold.

If Ignatief spent his last 34 years in Canada paying Canadian taxes instead of American taxes, perhaps we would be in better shape.

Alex (Toronto)
said

How many people don't qualify because they are laid off too early? How many are losing benefits but still out of work because they live in a "rich" part of the country? Government has no control over job creation, except for jobs created directly by the government, but the state does have responsibility for helping people who have lost jobs due to circumstances far outside their control.

The collapse of the fickle commodity-based economies in the western provinces may teach a few people to look beyond their simplistic blame-the-poor slogans and acknowledge that the state has a role in helping people survive periods of economic change.

E.L. O'Connell
said

I would be interested in seeing recent statistics for welfare recipients. I think they would reflect a far more accurate picture of our economy's desperation than EI, because people can lose a job and find another within the EI application grace period.

Paul from Minnesota
said

Certainly the U.S. has not us any favours when it comes to clearing up Free Trade Agreement disputes and judging by the length of time it required to resolve our lumber dispute does suggest that the U.S. is content to drag it's heels in those areas where it feels Canada has an advantage. The BC lumber industry is in shambles with massive layoffs/closures due to the U.S. policy on Cdn lumber, reduced demand in Asia and the U.S., the Asian pine beetle crisis, destructive clear cut policies of the past, reduced demand in Canada, failure to reforest and renew a renewable resource, and corporate greed amoungst others. Unfortunately there are enough U.S. lumber resources in place now to satify their domestic requirements so this isn't about to turn around overnight.

Mary Clarke
said

Samuel,
What was the Liberal or NDP position on auto bail outs? Or did they have the guts to voice them? They would have done the same thing,only they probably wouldn't have made it quite so tough for the auto industry to make the required and necessary cuts. And now the Opposition is threatening an election[AGAIN] because they believe the workers should only have to work 45 days,to collect pogey,for almost a year.
All the while complaining about the deficit that THEY demanded,and even said wasn't deep enough[aka-MORE stimulus spending] They talk out of both sides of their mouths.
Ignatieff spent 34 years,paying his taxes elsewhere,because ,I guess Canadian Universities aren't quite "good enough" for his pompous ass to work at.

Randy
said

I know there are places unemployement is high, but if you aren't working in the city I live in, you don't want to work. My wife works at a major bank, and the people who pour my coffee at Tim Horton's or serves me my burger and fries are making more money than she is, and the majority of them have been brought in from other countries, because no locals wanted the jobs. If I was out of work, I would take anything I could find, and if it meant working more than one job, I would.

Nic
said

Um, I thought Harper had said that Canada would not be affected by the economic crisis?

I'm amazed at how people can keep a straight face while calling him a great leader.

A great leader does not guide his people with a false sense of hope. Unfortunately, Harper is more concerned with staying in power (as can be seen by his attack ads at the Liberals) than working for the Canadian people.

Ted
said

The number of unemployed keeps rising but the right wing conservatives keep blocking the transfer of infrastructure money. They just keep recycling old news. Totally incompetent party. The sooner we get rid of them, the better.

Taxpayer
said

Pretty soon the Country will be broke from all the EI claims! Just think if the Liberals NDP and Bloc get there way, my Grand kids won't even be able to pay the Countries dept down.

Rejean
said

We have 14 unfilled seismic jobs here in Alberta. No warm bodies to fill them. Anyone who can't find a job in this province no longer has a pulse. My guess is most are going to enoy the summer on the Pogey...relax after the insane growth.

bunny
said

EI seems to be getting to everyone, what is this thing Iggy speaks of then.Jack and Gilles and Iggy all seem to know thousands athat are not getting their EI.Can you imagine if we only have to have people work 45 days to collect for a full year of EI.Crazy talk

Shirlee - SK
said

Back in 1981/82 we were in an even worse recession, job losses galore, the interest rate was 24 %, who was in power do you think? The country wasn't screaming at the government in power, no it was every man/woman for themselves. Nobody was forcing changes to EI. It was darn ugly, but things changed and everything picked up again and things got better. This isn't news just life!

Ed B
said

This number must only comprise the Southern Ontario area because every politician knows Ontario stops somewhere east of Sudbury.

Roger T
said

Don't worry, it's gonna get worst. Poor management of the country and internal policies has created the down fall of the economy!

Confused in ottawa
said

Hmm how does Blaming OBAMA for our EI rates work??????
The economy in the US was downhill before Obama took presidency.. LOL..

And just an FYI EI is harder to get in areas where unemployment is low like in Ottawa... it goes on a avg per region!!

michael homsi
said

It was known to everyone, including Mr. Harper that the unemplyment rates will go up due the Global Finincal Crisis, so it shouldn't come as a suprise to Mr. Flaherty, who talked about the increase in the deficit yesterday.
Flaherty acted yesterday as he is hearing about the troubled World for the first time. I hope it isnot just down on him, he has to prepare for it, but it semmed to me, all what he wanted to do, is just score politcal points aginst Michael Ignatieff.
Sureley the whole World had action plans to deal with the rise in the inemployment, but not Canada.
The Conserative did the talk, but not the walk. They tlked about the budget deficit of $34 million, yestday they announced it is gong to be much more than the $34 million.
What have they done so far beside tallking. Not one cent yet had been sent anywhere to help tose unemployed and some of them would.t qua;ify for the EI.
We had about enough from this inept government. It is a Government that not fit to rule in those diffcult days.
Lets have an election now, I am sure Canadians feel like me, they want the Tories to take a brake and have others deal with the serious tasks ahead.
Call it today, I for one, ready to vote for Ignatieff, he can't do any worse than this bunch of idiots.

R Crisp
said

And how many have moved from EI to welfare? Never reveal thoses stats Mr. Flattery!

R_Sask
said

DUH! We're in a recession, and companies are cutting back. why is this news?

UB40 in Montreal
said

So the number of people who receive EI benefits has increased.
Is that reason to celebrate?
How about giving these people a job?

Adam & Steve in Toronto
said

Obama is the problem!
Since he won the nomination last October and the election in November people lost confidence in the US economy.
Hillary would of been a much better pick.

Josh wants to be woke up if employment hits 90%
said

Wake me up if we get to less than 90% employment (not including those working under the table for cash).

Wade Ens
said

Alberta has record low jobs so any small increase is a huge percentage increase. One person unemployed in Edmonton now there is 10 a ten fold increase.
The Liberals sound like Al Gore this is a crisis the world is at stake. The only crisis is for the Liberal Party of Toronto who voters are leaving to the NDP and are forced to steal their policies and take a hard turn left. We do not need the kind of disaster Bob Rae caused when he spent Ontario into poverty that took 10 yrs to recover from.

sammy
said

Hey lets all follow tradition and blame it on the Liberals.

Nancy:Most apply for EI just incase, but find work
said

If you can't find a job in Alberta start a business making Help Wanted signs because they are everywhere.
Most people apply for EI when they get laid off and go get a job, they apply just incase they cannot find a job or want to take a couple of months in the summer before getting back to work as you may not get holidays at a new job the first year.

Sly
said

WOW is this actually news we would of never guess that one. Now if it would of gone down it would of been news

Jim - Ottawa
said

I dont understand why the EI system needs to change, people don't seem to be having trouble getting EI.

Samual
said

This doesn't include the thousands of unemployed self employed people like me.
But hey when I do go back to work thanks to the Harper government I will get to pay for pensions of GM workers even though I don't have a pension plan of my own.
Where are all the stimulus jobs?
Is Harper spending it all on attack ads to save his job?
The false job number he put out only weeks ago don't mean nothing when in BC alone welfare recipients has doubled.
Please Harper step down you have been voted as Canada's worst PM, only 11% of Canadians think your doing a good job, the rest of us know that your destroying Canada's economy.

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