EI reforms urgently needed as Trump tariffs take hold: labour and community groups

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Unifor, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and the Interprovincial EI Working Group are demanding urgent improvements to Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) system, as workers face economic hardship due to tariffs from the United States. This EI roadmap has been endorsed by over 100 organizations and unions across the country.

“Our current EI system simply won’t cut it for the crisis that’s coming,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “The federal government is putting hundreds of thousands of workers at risk if they fail to implement these changes.”

“We’re calling on all parties to immediately strengthen Canada’s social safety net and provide support to working people,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

CUPE, Unifor, the CLC and the Interprovincial EI Working Group are proposing measures that would make it much easier for workers to access EI and improve the benefits they receive. Key proposals would boost workers’ access to EI including for those in precarious jobs. A minimum benefit would be established as well as higher maximum earnings to ensure workers can live in dignity.

“We need to ensure all workers, especially those in precarious jobs, have the support they need,” said Mary Gellatly, co-chair of the Interprovincial EI working group. “These changes are needed for all industries and all workers across Canada so no one is left behind.”

“Urgent changes are needed short term but we also need the comprehensive EI reform that ensures lasting protections for workers into the future,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC.

CUPE is Canada’s largest union, representing 750,000 members across Canada. Unifor is Canada’s largest private-sector union, representing 320,000 members nationwide. The CLC brings together national and international unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour and labour councils to represent more than 3 million workers across the country. The Interprovincial EI Working Group was formed in 2013 to campaign for EI reforms, working with labour and community organizations across Canada.