A new report suggests Canada’s employment insurance program is failing jobless Albertans the most.

The Alberta Federation of Labour in partnership with the Calgary and Edmonton labour councils, say Alberta’s unemployed are the worst off in Canada.

The number of jobless in our province has doubled since last year to almost 154,000 and only 39 percent of those have qualified for EI.

Experts blame the fact that Alberta has the longest qualifying hours requirement in the country. Those lucky enough to receive EI say the benefits just aren’t enough.

Officials are calling for drastic changes to Alberta’s employment insurance program.

Those changes include establishing a standard 360 hour eligibility period extending the benefit period to two years and increasing funding for training.

Radio 660, Sun Sept 6 2009
Byline: Mike Judson