Harper rejects Grit call for national EI standards
BILL CURRY
May 5, 2009
OTTAWA -- Stephen Harper dismissed opposition demands for changes to employment insurance yesterday, setting the Prime Minister on a collision course that could lead to a summer election.
Rising for the first time in the House of Commons since the Liberal Party officially confirmed his leadership over the weekend, Michael Ignatieff demanded a national standard of 360 hours of work to qualify to receive benefits under the federal assistance program.
He also urged the Prime Minister to strike an independent panel to recommend further changes within a matter of weeks.
But Mr. Harper made no concessions yesterday, defending what he described as the long-held principle that EI benefits are easier to get in regions where unemployment is highest.
"Canada has a very generous system of employment insurance that was, in fact, enhanced in the most recent economic action plan of this government," Mr. Harper said. "I am perplexed by the sudden interest of the Liberal Party in NDP employment insurance policy."
Mr. Ignatieff threatened over the weekend to push for an election unless the government changes the EI rules. Defeating the government, however, requires the support of the Bloc Québécois and New Democrats. The three opposition parties have not been on friendly terms since the breakup of a coalition arrangement earlier this year, but all three are calling for a national standard of 360 hours to qualify for EI.
5 comments:
It's not the NDP (or the BQ) that has been the weak link. It has been the Liberal party, which has been supporting the government through a number of questionable motions.
The question is - can the _Liberals_ afford not to cross this line in the sand, having drawn it - or will they once again fold, caving to another of Harper's manoeuvres.
(p.s. still wondering whether you ever read your comments, as you never seem to answer them)
Hey Downes, I read em -- and you have a good point -- we drew the line, so, as I see it, we're stuck with it
Nonsense James, the Grits drew a line over the slush fund, they drew a line over the budget. The line will move once Harper steps over it once again. It's the NDP-Bloc that brought forth a bill, that the Libs supported and helped pass, that calls for increased EI support.
I agree with Downes that the Liberals let the line move far too far into the Conservative realm. But I agree James that it is time for all the parties to stand up ( even the dreaded 'separatists') and make a real difference for the unemployed.
Enjoy your blog James.
First, during a scrum after QP yesterday (the 5th) & Ignatieff being asked about "drawing a line in the sand" he looked down & said "What sand?"
That doesn't sound too promising about sticking to what he said.
Also, both the Bloc & the NDP support the Libs stance on EI & yesterday Flaherty said that "they" are listening to, & looking at the suggestions being made by the opposition. This sounds like the beginning of backtracking on their "no more changes to EI" position. Being down in the polls the Con's do not want another election - yet. We'll have to see how all of this plays out.
What do you think of that, James?
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