CHRIS IN THE COMMONS - Fighting for timely access to EI

September 28th, 2009 2nd Session, 40th Parliament:

Ms. Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, workers at the U.S. Steel plant in Nanticoke are currently in a labour dispute, but at the same plant there were layoffs before that dispute was ever started. ROEs clearly show that these layoffs predate the dispute and yet EI claims are being held up for an average of six to eight weeks. This cannot be news to the Minister of Human Resources. The Nanticoke plant is in her own riding and it is her constituents who are losing their homes.
Will the minister direct her officials to process such claims immediately, and not just for workers in her own riding but for workers right across this country?

Hon. Diane Finley (Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, I am very aware of the hardships that are being faced by the steelworkers who are
employed by U.S. Steel. I meet with them regularly and I truly am listening to their needs and what they need. That being said, I do have an obligation to respect the law. The Employment Insurance Act is designed and is legislated to be neutral in the case of a labour dispute, whether that dispute be a lockout or a strike. As members are aware, each EI case is evaluated on its own unique merits and
I know that my department and my officials are working to resolve those cases and resolve them as quickly as possible.