[Motorcycleboy]

The time has come to wrap up the EI program.

In the 1970's and 80's, unemployment was a real problem in Canada.

But that's no longer the case. The combination of an aging demographic and a red hot economy has virtually eliminated unemployment in this country. We are now at historic lows.

The American news program 60 minutes did a segment on Alberta's oil boom in February. In it they highlighted the fact that 21 year olds on their first jobs could earn as much as $120 000 a year driving trucks in the oil fields. Even unskilled labourers at Tim Horton's in Fort Macmurray can earn up to $18 an hour serving coffee!

The only thing slowing growth in the oil sector is a labour shortage.

In an economy like that, it's crazy to pay Maritime fishermen benefits all year round to fish 3 months a year. And it's even crazier to give out any kind of benefits to lazy 20 somethings in Northern Ontario or any part of Quebec, who don't have the balls to go out west and earn a decent living.

It's time to wrap up the EI program and use the surplus to pay down the national debt.

That would reduce interest payments, which in turn could be put againt the same debt creating a "reverse spiral" of ever decreasing debt without drawing money away from health care, defence, and other worthy priorities.

There'd be alot of screaming in the beginning, but before you know it, the legions of unemployed in Gander and the Gaspe would move out west and find good jobs.

Time for these types to start contributing rather than sponging. Eliminating EI would be a good way to encourage that.

[Banff]

Motorcycleboy Motorcycleboy:

The time has come to wrap up the EI program.

In the 1970's and 80's, unemployment was a real problem in Canada.

But that's no longer the case. The combination of an aging demographic and a red hot economy has virtually eliminated unemployment in this country. We are now at historic lows.

The American news program 60 minutes did a segment on Alberta's oil boom in February. In it they highlighted the fact that 21 year olds on their first jobs could earn as much as $120 000 a year driving trucks in the oil fields. Even unskilled labourers at Tim Horton's in Fort Macmurray can earn up to $18 an hour serving coffee!

The only thing slowing growth in the oil sector is a labour shortage.

In an economy like that, it's crazy to pay Maritime fishermen benefits all year round to fish 3 months a year. And it's even crazier to give out any kind of benefits to lazy 20 somethings in Northern Ontario or any part of Quebec, who don't have the balls to go out west and earn a decent living.

It's time to wrap up the EI program and use the surplus to pay down the national debt.

That would reduce interest payments, which in turn could be put againt the same debt creating a "reverse spiral" of ever decreasing debt without drawing money away from health care, defence, and other worthy priorities.

There'd be alot of screaming in the beginning, but before you know it, the legions of unemployed in Gander and the Gaspe would move out west and find good jobs.

Time for these types to start contributing rather than sponging. Eliminating EI would be a good way to encourage that.

A smidgeon of evidence to even one thing you said would be helpful until then I can only say "YA RIGHT" (to every last word ) Don't forget while you're compiling your "stuff" it can be countered with mortgage rates, gas prices , cost of living , some of my pay stubs , etc etc etc ....

[bossdog]

I think it would be a good idea for single men or women. To pick up famalies of 4 or 5 from Gander or Three Rivers and uproot them to a place like High Level Alberta seems fairly unrealistic.

I agree that the EI program should be revisited, but not erased. EI offers plenty of other great services besides financial benefits. Skills training, College Assistance, Career Planning, etc..

I've used the EI program in the past. I didn't use it to it's full term because I was able to get a good job after a few months but I'll tell ya, the benefits really helped during the transition. I'm glad I didnt' uproot my family and move to the oil fields.

[Robair]

I've never used EI, but something similar. After a car wreck that ended my flying career, SGI (sask. auto insurance) gave me assistance to go back to school (mechanical eng tech). Could not have made it without.

So shit happens. Revisit it? Sure, but there should be a safety net.

[Ripcat]

Errr, what happens when an employer cuts back on production for a few months and issues temporary layoffs? The family expenses don't go away for a few months till you are back to work....

Your idea is just crazy. Do you have no foresight? Have you learned anything from the past?

Oh yeah, your a cop aren't you...no reason to know anything about layoffs or economics...your job will always be safe even if you aren't a good worker....

[OnTheIce]

Stupid idea....especially coming from a NDP'er.

[bootlegga]

Ripcat Ripcat:

Errr, what happens when an employer cuts back on production for a few months and issues temporary layoffs? The family expenses don't go away for a few months till you are back to work....

Your idea is just crazy. Do you have no foresight? Have you learned anything from the past?

Oh yeah, your a cop aren't you...no reason to know anything about layoffs or economics...your job will always be safe even if you aren't a good worker....

No doubt Ripcat, I wonder if people thought the same way before the oil boom crashed in the early 80s...oh yeah, wait a minute, what was that bumper sticker? "Please God, let us have one more boom and I promise we won't piss it away!"

As long as we plan on being a decent, caring nation, we'll need EI, universal health care and the rest of the safety net for those of us not fortunate enough to partake in the oil economy (there are plenty, let me tell you).

[Donny_Brasco]

Intresting that a huge chunk of these oil workers go on UI during freeze and thaw during the road bans.

Imagine trying to get a morgage, the bank knows that there will be a huge rish that if you lose your job you will default on your payments because there is no EI program.

And what surplus will there be? If there is no EI program then obviously we will no be paying right off the top of our cheques?

Where will this "surplus" come from...magic? Or do you propose that we continue to pay our EI premiums after they cancel the program.

Good good for thought...

but very goofy post.

[phiscott]

I think that is one of the dumbest things I've heard in awhile. Sure ,revise it, but you can't get rid of it. I've used it before, and worse comes to worse I'll use it again, but it's there if it's needed. When I was working on the roads, that was seasonal work. What are you suppopsed to do in the few months that you can't pave?
When I was building houses, there were times when work just slowed down too much because of the cold. Not alot of people do renovations during the winter, and you can't really frame, so what do you do, you go on pogie for a few months.
I do think it should be revised. You don't neccesarily NEED a claim open for 8 months. Make it so that depending on how much income you make when you work, the amount of months should be varialbe as well as the money factor.

[Knoss]

The thing about EI is you can go to a different province or region, but more significant it is that if a person is laid off in any part of the country they can find a job, not necessarlily a good job but a job, that will allow ends to meet even if just barely. I think dissability is a very good program, pension is arguably a successful program but I think EI is not a good program

[phiscott]

Avro Avro:

It's not dumb if you never have to worry about being unemployed.

But how many people can say for sure that they will never be un-employed?

[Donny_Brasco]

Avro Avro:

Cops, like the starter of this thread.

Jail guards...