Focus on EI, develop a skilled workforce to combat weak economy, says C.D. Howe
by The Canadian Press
Study says highly skilled jobs made up virtually all net job creation between 1999 and 2012
OTTAWA—The C.D. Howe Institute says reforms to employment insurance and moves to develop a more highly skilled workforce can help Canada’s labour market adjust to weakened economic conditions.
The Toronto-based think-tank says the federal government should make changes to EI because the program only covers about half of unemployed Canadians.
The document’s author, Craig Alexander, argues that Ottawa should replace its regionally based criteria for EI with eligibility and benefits rules that are uniform across the country.
Alexander also says Canada must focus on creating a more highly skilled workforce as a way to increase productivity. He says such positions made up virtually all net job creation between 1999 and 2012.
The former chief economist at TD Bank says the labour force is facing a number of challenges, including globalization, an aging population and technological changes _ all factors that have been compounded by the steep slide in commodity prices.
Meanwhile, the report notes that in recent years Canada has seen a shift toward more precarious types of employment such as temporary, self-employed and part-time jobs.
The new Liberal government has promised reforms to the EI program, including reducing the waiting time for benefits to one week from two.
