The Government of Canada consults with stakeholders in New Brunswick on improving Employment Insurance services - EI Service Quality Review

BATHURST, NB, Aug. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia, was in Bathurst, New Brunswick as part of the ongoing Employment Insurance (EI) Service Quality Review. Mr. Massé met with stakeholders representing local organizations including social advocacy groups, unions and chambers of commerce to hear their ideas on ways to help improve services to EI claimants. Mr. Massé will be continuing these consultations in Moncton, New Brunswick tomorrow.

Through Budget 2016, the Government of Canada committed to improving services for Canadians. In May 2016, the Government of Canada launched the EI Service Quality Review to examine how Service Canada delivers the EI program to citizens and to help identify areas for improvement.

This review is spearheaded by Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Rodger Cuzner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia. Together, they embarked on a nationwide consultation process with key stakeholders and the public to seek their input on ways to improve services to EI claimants.

A summary report of the feedback received through these consultations will be released in fall 2016.

Quote

"The Government of Canada is committed to bringing real change to this country and I am dedicated to doing my part to help improve our services to Canadians. Consultations such as this one are crucial to finding solutions that will better align policies and programs and make real, positive change."
– Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia

Quick Facts

• The Government committed funding, as part of Budget 2016, to enhancing services and performance standards for those accessing EI benefits:
  • $19 million in funding was committed this year to make EI service delivery more responsive. This funding will go towards enabling Service Canada to meet the increased demand for EI claims processing, and offer better support to Canadians as they search for new employment.
  • $73 million in funding was committed over two years to enhance access to EI call centres. This will increase the number of call centre agents, which will reduce waiting times and ensure that Canadians can access the information and support they need to receive their EI benefits as quickly as possible.

Associated Links

Employment Insurance Service Quality Review
Employment Insurance Service Quality Review Online Survey

 Follow us on Twitter

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]