05-23-2006, 07:09 PM
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/...70-cp.html
MONTREAL (CP) - Canada's employment insurance program leaves too many Canadians in the lurch, says a United Nations report that is equally harsh about several other areas of the country's social policy.
The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights says it is concerned by the low number of unemployed workers who qualify for EI benefits.
"The Committee notes with concern that in 2001, only 39 per cent of unemployed Canadians were eligible for benefits," says an unedited, advance version of the report made public Monday.
It criticized Canada for especially low eligibility rates among youth and migrant workers, female part-time workers and in provinces such as Ontario.
Earlier this month, representatives from Ottawa and the provinces travelled to Geneva, presenting a report outlining the country's adherence to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, of which it is a member.
But Monday's report claimed that Canada's submission failed to deal with several concerns the UN body outlined in earlier reports.
The document also blasted policy decisions taken by various governments on matters ranging from minimum wage to eviction procedures, and is sure to provide ammunition for any number of critics.
The UN body took time to laud the country's low unemployment rate and measures taken to resolve pay-equity issues, but its list of concerns is several times longer.
The UN committee's findings are particularly harsh in regards to cuts made under the previous Liberal government to federal transfer payments earmarked for social services.
The report suggests the cuts have had a serious impact on the standard of living of many of the country's minority groups.
While several social groups are scheduled to react to the UN report on Tuesday, some critics wasted little time welcoming its recommendations.
"The Committee takes into account the actual situation concerning the government's actions," Pierre-Louis Fortin-Legris, a spokesperson for Montreal-based human rights group Ligue des droits et libertes, said Monday night.
"Even if the committee can't force Canada to follow its recommendations, its report is an important tool for community groups."
MONTREAL (CP) - Canada's employment insurance program leaves too many Canadians in the lurch, says a United Nations report that is equally harsh about several other areas of the country's social policy.
The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights says it is concerned by the low number of unemployed workers who qualify for EI benefits.
"The Committee notes with concern that in 2001, only 39 per cent of unemployed Canadians were eligible for benefits," says an unedited, advance version of the report made public Monday.
It criticized Canada for especially low eligibility rates among youth and migrant workers, female part-time workers and in provinces such as Ontario.
Earlier this month, representatives from Ottawa and the provinces travelled to Geneva, presenting a report outlining the country's adherence to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, of which it is a member.
But Monday's report claimed that Canada's submission failed to deal with several concerns the UN body outlined in earlier reports.
The document also blasted policy decisions taken by various governments on matters ranging from minimum wage to eviction procedures, and is sure to provide ammunition for any number of critics.
The UN body took time to laud the country's low unemployment rate and measures taken to resolve pay-equity issues, but its list of concerns is several times longer.
The UN committee's findings are particularly harsh in regards to cuts made under the previous Liberal government to federal transfer payments earmarked for social services.
The report suggests the cuts have had a serious impact on the standard of living of many of the country's minority groups.
While several social groups are scheduled to react to the UN report on Tuesday, some critics wasted little time welcoming its recommendations.
"The Committee takes into account the actual situation concerning the government's actions," Pierre-Louis Fortin-Legris, a spokesperson for Montreal-based human rights group Ligue des droits et libertes, said Monday night.
"Even if the committee can't force Canada to follow its recommendations, its report is an important tool for community groups."