REGINA – Labour groups from across the country say Canada’s premiers need to pressure Ottawa to change the employment insurance system.
The Canadian Labour Congress says new job numbers show the recession if far from over for workers.

Statistics Canada says the country’s labour market shed another 45,000 jobs in July as more people struggled to find work.

Labour groups want a uniform system of EI eligibility to replace the current system that requires people to work different numbers of hours to qualify for benefits depending on where they live.

The Alberta and Saskatchewan federations of labour are also calling for EI changes.

AFL President Gil McGowan says only about 40 per cent of Alberta’s unemployed are getting EI benefits – the lowest rate in the country.

570 News, Kitchener, On, Fri Aug 7 2009