Common Voice Northwest, a regional research and policy group, has called on the federal government to make significant changes to the Employment Insurance program to assist laid-off forestry and mining workers across the region.

Over the past nine months a sub-committee of Common Voice Northwest identified the Employment Insurance Reform as key to assisting workers, their families and communities transitioning from one economy to another. The group made a series of recommendations in a report given to Industry Minister Tony Clement in a private meeting. Other copies were sent to MP Greg Rickford (Kenora) and MP John Rafferty (Thunder Bay-Rainy River). MPPs Gravelle.and Mauro have been asked to deliver a copy to Premier McGuinty to add to his argument for EI reform when the First Ministers meet.

Board Chair, George Macey said “there is a serious need for government to not only review, but change, the employment insurance system for the betterment of affected workers living in the Northwest.”