Bloc calls for greater flexibility in employment insurance as forest fires burn in Quebec
The fierce battle to protect Quebec communities from forest fires continues on the ground as the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) reported 123 active forest fires on Saturday morning, nearly half of which were out of control.
At last count, more than 13,500 residents remain evacuated, mainly in Chibougamau and Lebel-sur-Quévillon in Northern Quebec.
Meanwhile, the Bloc Québécois (BQ) is calling for affected workers to be eligible for employment insurance (EI).
In a press release issued early on Saturday morning, Bloc Employment and Labour critic Louise Chabot called for the immediate adoption of emergency measures for employment insurance to provide rapid assistance to workers affected by the forest fires currently raging in Quebec.
"The current unprecedented situation warrants a relaxation of EI eligibility criteria to provide effective and rapid support to the thousands of workers affected by these disasters, particularly those in the seasonal industry, who simply cannot qualify at this time," said Chabot.
She acknowledged that the federal government announced two days ago that it wanted to make it easier and faster to apply for employment insurance benefits, but the Bloc MP believes that more needs to be done.
"This measure does not take into account all the workers who will not have access to these benefits because of the obsolescence of the employment insurance programme. The Bloc Québécois has long been calling for a comprehensive reform of this program, and the current situation only accentuates the urgent need for action," said Chabot.
She pointed out that parks, forests, outfitters and tourism are sectors that have been hard hit and where there is a large number of seasonal workers.
"In the absence of a comprehensive reform of employment insurance now, the government must assume its responsibilities by putting in place emergency measures, such as reducing the number of hours needed to qualify, increasing the number of weeks of benefits and extending the qualifying period. That's the bare minimum," said Chabot.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 10, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.