Skeena-Bulkley Valley NDP MP Nathan Cullen is skeptical about a private members bill introduced this week by Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Dick Harris to end extended qualifying and benefit periods for convicted criminals seeking Employment Insurance.
Before passing final judgment, Cullen said he wants to find out why the proviso is in place to begin with but suggested it gives convicts a little extra time to find a job and keeps down their chances of offending once again. "If there is no reason why we do it and it saves money and there is no harm then it would be a good idea but I feel somewhat skeptical, I suppose," Cullen said.
Most Canadians must work a certain number of hours within 52 weeks to qualify for a claim and are then limited to 52 weeks of collection from the date of that claim.
But those serving time can extend their qualifying period and benefits period by the time they were in prison up to 104 weeks.
Those who are incarcerated are receiving preferential treatment, Harris has argued.
"We need to make policy in full sentences," Cullen said. "We need to go beyond just rhetoric when we're coming up with an idea."
