Half-hearted Budget Doesn’t Go Far Enough
OTTAWA – The Canadian Labour Congress says that the federal budget doesn’t go far enough to stimulate the economy and put money into the pockets of Canadians who are innocent victims of the economic recession.
“We have called repeatedly on the government to fix the Employment Insurance program so that laid-off workers have adequate benefits to support themselves and their families while they search for new jobs,” says Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Sixty percent of the unemployed weren’t getting benefits prior to this budget, and they won’t get benefits now.”
Most economists and G-20 leaders have also called for a federal government stimulus package equal to two percent of national income but the Harper government is offering only about half of that amount. “There are more than one million people out of work and thousands more are losing their jobs every day,” says Georgetti. “People desperately need their government’s help to protect and create jobs and to support the unemployed. That’s how I am judging this budget and it falls short.”
The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 3.2 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada’s national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 130 district labour councils. Web site: www.canadianlabour.ca
Contacts:
Jeff Atkinson, 613-863-1413
Dennis Gruending, 613-878-6040
