Trudeau announces changes to EI for 3 regions

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced changes to provide extended EI benefits in three regions.

In the 2016 budget, twelve EI economic regions were listed as qualifying for extended benefits due to the downturn in the commodities sector. And now, the government of Canada has added three area areas to the list: Edmonton; Southern Interior British Columbia; and Southern Saskatchewan.

Read: Oil patch money troubles going to get worse

This extension means those who are eligible for EI can claim an additional five weeks of benefits for regular claimants, and a further 20 weeks of benefits for long-tenured workers. These benefits will be available for one year, beginning July 3, 2016, and will apply retroactively to anyone who started a claim on or after January 4, 2015 and is still unemployed.

This government says this completes its assessment and no further regions will be added.

Read:

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Bill Morneau on future tax changes and CPP reform

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