From the Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation

We are pleased to present the final recommendations of the Mowat Centre Employment Insurance Task Force.

We undertook this project because we believe that the time is right to revisit Canada’s system of assistance for the unemployed. At the core of our recommendations is a belief that a new national framework is required, one that is more transparent, effective, and equitable.

We have come to this conclusion because of the failure of the current program to keep up with a variety of societal and economic changes. It is widely recognized that there are deep problems at the core of the system. Too many people are being left out of Canada’s social safety net, too many are carrying an unfair burden, and too many are not achieving their potential. 

Now is the time to move forward with transformative change to a foundational piece of Canada’s social safety net.

In the report you will find our proposals for improving the support system for the unemployed in Canada. Our recommendations are principled, based on evidence, fiscally prudent, and are a product of intensive consultation with workers, employers, and Canada’s leading experts.

The proposals are designed for a modern Canada—one that provides support for people who need it and encourages development of a dynamic labour force necessary to compete in the global economy.

The Task Force is an independent effort, outside the constraints of government. Successive governments have been unable to act on the need for structural reform to the system. We offer this blueprint as a way forward. We are hoping that you will join us in advocating for a new federal support system for the unemployed.