20°c A few clouds
25°c Chance of thundershowers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
EI fraud is no surprise, and should be stopped
Much has been made recently in the Atlantic region about tightening of rules around qualifying for Employment Insurance benefits. But even those who feel the changes unfairly target areas of smaller population and few jobs would, for the most part, support an effort to see the system is not subject to fraudulent claims.
As some have already suggested, opposition politicians might be a bit too bent on semantics in charging that Service Canada investigators have been handed quotas in their hunt for fraudulent or ineligible EI claims.
Is Human Resources Minister Diane Finley hedging -- or trying to cover up -- her explanation that the figure of finding $485,000 each per year in unwarranted benefits is really a "target," or an "objective," as she phrased under fire from the opposition?
We don't know off-hand how many investigators are on this task. But perhaps an average of nearly a half-million dollars for each is a reasonable estimate of the fraudulent claims we can expect in the system. For anyone who has been in the workforce any length of time, and perhaps had to look hard for work, and maybe made some observations along the way, it won't be a shock that fraud does occur in this sprawling, huge system of premiums and benefits -- alongside unemployment rates that range from about six to 10 per cent depending on the province.
And for those hardworking stiffs: definitely, find those who aren't entitled. We expect that.
Canadians want a fair EI system -- and, granted, some will argue new rules are too stringent in some instances. But shake loose as much as possible those hitching a free ride.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 9, 2013 A15
More Analysis
- Back to Top
- Return to Analysis
More Analysis
(1 of 30 articles for this week)
Peace process with Taliban fragile
06/19/2013 1:58 PM 0Past attempts by the Obama administration to start peace talks with the Afghan Taliban foundered in part because the process ...
Poll
Most Popular Analysis
- The Brazilian middle class awakens
- Hike to PST will bite Manitobans hard
- Hidden no more
- Don't let flood-evacuee problems kill the vision
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Bernanke averted a global depression
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Firm sues governments over intellectual property
- Mau Maus win 50-year-long battle
- Pimachiowin Aki is exceptional heritage
- Too rural, too white, too male
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Quebec's nationalism run amok
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Beauty and the (mortgage) Beast
- The Brazilian middle class awakens
- Was east side misled by NDP government?
- Expense scandal dogs Nova Scotia's fading NDP government
- Appalling rates of public-sector absenteeism must be addressed
- The view of Bipole III from Hart Mountain
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Key of Bart: Video Killed The Mayor Who Hates The Toronto Star
- Too rural, too white, too male
- A sorry fact -- Katz finds it hard to apologize
- Ford puts Toronto on the map at last
- Manitoba Hydro's halcyon days are gone
- The key of Bart
- Ford can't resign as mayor soon enough
- Obama gets ‘revenge’ with Rice appointment
- Hidden no more
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Gadgets in classrooms are gimmicks
- Work, not retirement, saves lives
- Don't let flood-evacuee problems kill the vision
- UNESCO's concerns unrelated to Bipole III
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Shed more light on JTF2 secrets
- Hydro must serve citizens, not government
- The view of Bipole III from Hart Mountain
- Aging makes women proud — and loud
- Was east side misled by NDP government?
- Quebec's nationalism run amok
- Hidden no more
- Work, not retirement, saves lives
- No bailouts required for Pollock's
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Teachers should fast-track inclusive plan
- Manitoba Hydro's halcyon days are gone
- Hydro must serve citizens, not government
- Shocking exclusion
- Gadgets in classrooms are gimmicks
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- ‘Stand your ground’ case not what it seemed
- Hydro plans will be scrutinized in public
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 be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe 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.