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OTTAWA, Sept. 5 /CNW/ -- OTTAWA, Sept. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced the extension of transitional measures for the Employment Insurance (EI) economic region of Lower St. Lawrence and North Shore in Quebec. This extension coincides with the announcement that the current EI regional boundaries will remain unchanged as a result of the conclusion of the boundaries review process. The transitional measures were originally introduced in 2000. The extension of the transitional measures will last until April 10, 2010, and will complete the adjustment period to the current EI regional boundaries.

"Our government recognizes that not all regions are seeing the same growth, and that individuals employed in traditional, seasonal work face challenges," said Minister Blackburn. "While the EI regional boundaries are working well overall, we recognize the need to allow for adjustment and to ensure the change does not occur as the work season is ending for many in these regions."

The effect of these measures is to apply a higher unemployment rate than would otherwise be the case. As a result, claimants in the Lower St. Lawrence and North Shore region require fewer hours to qualify for EI, and receive benefits for a longer period than would be the case without the transitional measures.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

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FACT SHEET

Transitional measures for Employment Insurance economic regions

September 5, 2008

The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of
the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf
of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social
Development, has announced an 18-month extension of transitional measures for
the Employment Insurance (EI) economic region of Lower St. Lawrence and North
Shore in Quebec. This extension coincides with the announcement that the
current EI regional boundaries will remain unchanged as a result of the
conclusion of the boundaries review process.
The transitional measures provide for the application of a higher
unemployment rate than would normally be the case under the current EI
regional boundaries. As a result, claimants in the Lower St. Lawrence and
North Shore region require fewer hours to qualify for EI, and receive benefits
for a longer period than would be the case without the transitional measures.
Under the EI program, Canada is divided into economic regions that ensure
that people residing in areas of similar unemployment levels face comparable
EI rules, in terms of eligibility and length of benefit entitlement. EI
Regulations require that EI regional boundaries be reviewed every five years
to ensure that they reflect current labour market conditions and geographic
representation of communities across Canada. The current 58 EI economic
regions came into effect on July 9, 2000, and were confirmed today.
The configuration of the economic regions had a greater than expected
effect on EI claimants residing in the region of Lower St. Lawrence and North
Shore. Consequently, transitional measures were adopted to ease the impact of
the actual EI regional boundaries. The extension will complete the adjustment
period, and will also ensure that the conclusion of the transitional measures
does not occur when the work season is ending for many in these regions.

For more information on EI regional boundaries, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca.
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