We will increase funding for the current Targeted Initiative for Older Workers to $50 million per year through 2012. We will continue to work with provinces and territories, businesses and others to help older workers get the skills they need to find new jobs.
By "shelving" a report on how Employment Insurance and other programs could be reformed to help older workers, the Conservatives are overlooking a tool to help the economy rebound after the current turmoil, says a member of the panel that produced the report.
The (Expert Panel on Older Workers) spent most of 2007 studying how to improve the job prospects of older workers, and how public policy could help displaced older workers.
Their 110-page report was quietly released by then-Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Monte Solberg in late July, months after it was submitted to him.
Solberg turned down Cohen's repeated requests to hold a news conference to unveil the report.
Six of the panel's recommendations focused on aspects of Employment Insurance, including a call for a wholesale review of the program.
National labour groups and some opposition MPs have expressed concerns this week that EI will not be a strong enough safety net for workers when a recession hits.
(Solberg’s) successor as minister is Diane Finley, whose press secretary could not be reached for comment yesterday.
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