In today’s economy, more and more workers are being laid off and relying on the employment insurance program. Today we’re featuring the history of Canada’s Employment Insurance program. When did it start? Why did it start? What’s it like today?

The Employment Insurance program was launched in response to severe economic conditions during the Great Depression. The Depression lasted from 1929 right up until the Second World War in 1939. During that time, millions of Canadians were out of work. With no government aid, families were forced to rely on whatever community aid was available. Many Canadians lost their homes, and many more were unable to provide for their families.

There was a lot of discussion about the pros and cons of an unemployment insurance program (as it was then called). People who were in favour of unemployment insurance said it would give families enough income to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. But others felt that such a program would encourage people to stay unemployed.

Despite the debate, the Unemployment Insurance Act came into effect in 1941. In 1971, the program expanded, and began to cover maternity and sickness benefits. In 1996, the program changed its name to Employment Insurance. Today, EI places an emphasis on skills training. The program encourages laid-off workers who receive benefits to attend training programs before re-entering the workforce.

Employment Insurance operates like any insurance program: workers pay into a fund, and can apply for benefits under certain conditions. Workers most commonly receive benefits when they are laid off. However, they can also receive benefits when caring for a newborn or newly adopted child (maternity, parental and adoption benefits), when suffering from a long-term illness (sickness benefits), or when caring for a family member who is seriously ill (compassionate care benefits). Not all workers are eligible for benefits. Eligibility depends on how long workers have been employed and what type of work they have been doing.

 Adapted from information on www.hrsdc.gc.ca

 Task 1:

1.  Highlight the information you think you need to take notes on.
2. Compare and discuss with a partner.
3. Take notes on the key information.
4. Use your notes to write one paragraph summary of the text.

top centre and support details

summary:

1.The 1st paragraph main idea:To talk about the history of EI.

2.The 2nd paragraph main idea: To introduce the background of EI, and the needs of EI.

3.The 3rd paragraph main idea:Discussion about the pros and cons,advantages and disadvantages.

4.The 4th paragraph main idea:To talk about the establishment,evolvement and usage of EI. 

5.The 5th paragraph main idea:The specific contents of EI and who have eligibilty to apply for it.