Canadians across this country gave our government a strong mandate to complete our economic recovery and eliminate the deficit. After all, out of control spending and debt in other countries are major causes of the economic problems facing the world today.
That is why our Conservative government is taking action to ensure that Canadians’ hard-earned tax dollars are being used most effectively and efficiently. Hard-working Canadians have told us, loud and clear, that government needs to deliver the services that Canadians rely on in a way that is leaner, more modern and more efficient.
The way in which EI claims are processed is out-dated and inefficient. Currently, Service Canada employees in 120 offices all across the country manually administer thousands of pieces of paper every month. The wide dispersion of offices leaves little room for co-ordinating work volumes or schedules.
Over the next three years we will consolidate processing positions from 120 locations to 22 locations, moving to an electronic file management system that will deliver services at a lower cost to taxpayers.
Canadians may understandably be concerned that this may mean that services will be slower or lower quality. I can confidently say that these changes will have no impact on the in-person services Canadians receive at Service Canada offices.
Furthermore, only back office work will be consolidated; zero front desk Service Canada offices will be closed. To be clear, this means Canadians will continue to be able to access services at their local office when this process is complete.
Service Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada will be working hard over the next three years to minimize the impact on affected employees.
Some organizations have chosen to spread misinformation among employees. Let me be clear: there will be no mass layoffs.
Efforts by union bosses to protect their narrow interests at the expense of taxpayers are simply unfair to workers and unfair to taxpayers.
Our employees are incredibly skilled, and valuable. We will work with employees to manage these changes through attrition, training and transfers to other locations. And we intend to fully respect our collective agreements.
Our government will move forward towards a stronger, faster and more efficient EI system that will benefit all Canadians.
Hon. Diane Finley
Minister of Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
I can tell you that beyond a shadow of a doubt, based on my first-hand experience, that the vast majority of Afghans are grateful for our presence there, and feel safer and freer without the Taliban in power. I can also assure you that the vast majority of Libyans appreciate NATO's efforts and feel safer and freer without Ghadhafi in power. Can you furnish a single example in which Canada has intervened militarily in any country and left its people feeling less secure?