MONTREAL—Gilles Duceppe may have suffered a humiliating defeat during the 2011 election, but the former head of the Bloc Quebecois began his new job on Tuesday.

The former leader is heading a Parti Quebecois commission investigating federal changes to the employment insurance program. However, some feel Duceppe's ultimate goal is to start another fight between Quebec and Ottawa

Duceppe will earn $1,000 a day for the next eight months working on the commission, that on top of his $140,000 pension.

“People are, I would say, worried about the situation,” Duceppe said of the changes he will investigate.

For months, there have been protests across Canada because of changes to EI announced last year. Ottawa is ordering unemployed people to accept jobs at 70 per cent of their previous income, and within 100 km of their home.

Duceppe's commission will tour the province asking Quebecers of their concerns.

“The issue is: Do all these modifications change something with the security of the workers and their employers?” asked commission co-president Rita Dionne-Marsolais.

Duceppe isn't getting a warm welcome everywhere.

Montreal activists fighting the changes have been trying to coordinate a strategy with groups all over Canada. But they say no one wants to join Quebec’s fight because the divisive leader is involved.

“We're trying to create solidarity with other people in Canada and the people are telling us Mr. Duceppe doesn't care about the workers from Canada,” said Hans Marotte from the Mouvement Action Chomage.

Others fear the PQ wants to repatriate the EI program from Ottawa, even though the federal government pays out between $400 million and $800 million more to Quebecers than it takes in from Quebec.

“I'm interested in solving problems, not fighting for one cause or another one, said Duceppe.

His critics don't buy.

“Trying to ask Mr. Druceppe to negotiate with the feds is looking for trouble,” said Francois Legault, the head of the Coalition Avenir Quebec.

Duceppe's commission will hold public hearings in September. Meanwhile, groups employment insurance activists plan to hold more of their own rallies.