Statement by Minister Duclos on Government of Canada support to Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry workers

GATINEAU, QC, June 19, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, made the following statement after meeting with the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador:

"I was pleased to host Minister Crocker, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, to discuss the situation of workers impacted by the ice conditions along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Through various Employment Insurance (EI) program measures, the Government of Canada has been supporting workers, their families and the communities of Newfoundland and Labrador that face difficulties caused by the delayed start of the fishing season.

Through Budget 2016, the Government has been providing a targeted and temporary extension of EI regular benefits for workers who live in the 15 regions most impacted by the decline in commodity prices. Claimants for EI regular benefits residing in the 15 regions—including fish plant workers—in the rural EI economic region of Newfoundland and Labrador (excluding St. John's) can benefit from the extra 5 weeks with each new eligible claim that begins during January 4, 2015, to July 8, 2017, provided that they remain unemployed.

Fish plant workers in the EI region of Newfoundland and Labrador (excluding St. John's) can still qualify for EI with 420 hours of insurable employment and ordinarily receive between 32 and 45 weeks of benefits. When combined with the 5 extra weeks announced in Budget 2016, these workers may receive up to 50 weeks of regular benefits.

Minister Crocker and I also discussed the Government of Canada's recently announced Ice Assistance Emergency Program which will provide up to six weeks of income support for affected fish harvesters in parts of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador who have exhausted their EI fishing benefits entitlement. "

Associated Links

Ice Assistance Emergency Program 
EI changes 2016

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For media enquiries, please contact: Émilie Gauduchon-Campbell, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 819-654-5546; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]