To all New Brunswick and Quebec Chairpersons and Members of Employment Insurance Boards of Referees

Subject: Government of Canada extends Employment Insurance transitional measures

On April 9, 2010 in Fredericton, (NB), the Honourable Keith Ashfield and Senator Percy Mockler announced, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, that the Government of Canada was extending the Employment Insurance (EI) transitional measures for parts of New-Brunswick and Quebec.

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

The existing measures are being extended for 11 months, from April 11, 2010, to March 12, 2011. After March 12, 2011, the measures will be phased out gradually to ensure a smooth transition. Following the conclusion of the measures, actual regional unemployment rates will be used to determine eligibility for EI benefits.

The transitional measures provide further support to unemployed workers in addition to the temporary measures introduced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

Further details on the subject are available in the following article Government of Canada extends Employment Insurance transitional measures. Government of Canada extends Employment Insurance transitional measures