Some changes that Ottawa has made to the employment insurance program are perfectly sensible, such as extending benefits to those living in provinces experiencing the energy sector downturn. But making it easier for young workers in Atlantic Canada to qualify for EI is a bad idea.
By dramatically lowering the work requirement from 24 weeks to as few as 10 weeks, EI will attract more young people away from school and the workforce. The great opportunities in our region will not be realized with 10-week jobs in a 52-week economy.
Young people should be encouraged to finish school and work full time. Looser EI will not help them prosper.