In Manitoba, 17,000 people are under evacuation orders due to wildfires. When workers evacuate, they leave their jobs and livelihoods behind for an unknown period. Workers may not qualify for EI benefits, leaving them without income.
An EI pilot project was introduced in early 2025 for workers affected by the major wildfires in Jasper, Alberta, and Bunibonibee Cree Nation in the summer of 2024. This pilot provided a one-time credit of 300 hours of insurable employment. This made it easier for affected workers to qualify for EI benefits and have some income security during the disaster and recovery.
The federal government should immediately expand the pilot project to workers affected by the current wildfires.
Many workers at the Hudson’s Bay may also fall short of the necessary insurable hours for EI due to part time and precarious work. Our EI system does not meet the needs of workers and our economy, particularly during periods of crisis and uncertainty. Workers need an EI system they can depend on during natural disasters and economic instability.
The federal government must:
- Institute a universal 420-hour requirement to be eligible for EI and a 300-hour credit
to ensure those in precarious employment can qualify for EI;
- Have a minimum weekly benefit rate of at least $600 to help protect lower-waged workers and the economy;
- Increasing the 55% benefit rate and Maximum Insurable Earnings and the so workers have a liveable benefit;
- Ensure migrants contributing EI premiums have full access to EI.
You can find more information about the EI reforms needed here.