15°c Overcast
12°c Rain
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Quebec workers hold rallies across province against Employment Insurance changes
MONTREAL - Workers across Quebec and parts of the Maritimes gathered Saturday to denounce the federal government's Employment Insurance changes.
Powerful Quebec union head Michel Arsenault said seasonal workers in the province's rural areas will be particularly hard hit by the changes.
"We're going to continue to put pressure on the federal government," Arsenault said at a rally in downtown Montreal.
"We want to mobilize the whole Quebec population."
Protests were held in several other cities across the province, including Laval, Quebec City, and Sherbrooke. There were also demonstrations in Ottawa and New Brunswick.
Human Resources Minister Diane Finley announced major EI reforms last May that are now being phased in.
The changes include an expectation that claimants accept any job for which they're qualified, within 100 kilometres of their home, as long as the pay is 70 per cent of their previous salary.
They must also prove they're actively seeking work.
Detractors of the plan say it unfairly targets Atlantic Canada and Quebec, where there are a number of seasonal industries such as forestry and fishing.
Finley issued a statement this week downplaying concerns, repeating that nobody will lose any benefits as long as they try to find a job and accept a reasonable offer of employment.
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 25 articles for today)
Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
2:08 PM 0View Related
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Head-on collision kills pickup driver
- Manitoba's changing spiritual landscape
- Police make grow-op bust
- 'It's a beautiful story': There's not always a tomorrow to say you're sorry or make things right
- Province announces service for Elijah Harper
- Leaving a gang isn't easy — Sidney Letandre, now a paraplegic, knows it all too well
- Accused in alleged smartphone scam charged
- Two charged in golf course burglary
- One dead in Highway 10 collision
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Woman killed in head-on crash in southwestern Manitoba
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- US woman credits 'mother's instincts' in chase of 4-year-old daughter's abductor
- Flood victim gets six years for shotgun threat, attack
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Susan Griffiths dies in Switzerland
- Woman killed in head-on crash in southwestern Manitoba
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Manitoba's changing spiritual landscape
- Two charged in golf course burglary
- Province announces service for Elijah Harper
- Katz bogeys again
- Phone cracked? Cool
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- U.S. bill would give Canadian snowbirds more time to spend in the sun
- Guitar-playing astronaut bows out of space station with music video of Bowie's 'Space Oddity'
- Microsoft update to address Windows 8 complaints, confusion will be free; to be called 8.1
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Uganda: Blessed are the children
- Winning 6/49 ticket purchased in Winnipeg
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Paul McCartney to play Winnipeg Aug. 12
- Ontario steps in to help save ELA
- Saskatchewan professor wants to test the health benefits of nose-picking
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- An uncommon phenomenon
- RCMP charge man with double-homicide in Ethelbert
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.