Since the federal government transferred the files from the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to employment insurance, many citizens have seen their request unsuccessful, without explanation.
A local citizen approached VIVA MÉDIA some time ago to share his experience with employment insurance. Having no work in his field since the start of the pandemic, this citizen was receiving CERB. The change to employment insurance goes very well. A few weeks later, he got a trial run in a company not far from his home. Not liking the atmosphere and being a good citizen, he declares his two days of work completed to employment insurance. To his surprise, his employment insurance payments stop and weeks go by. In fact, more than two months went by without him getting any explanation.
Faced with repeated failures to change things, he went to his federal deputy who succeeded in getting everything unblocked.
The MPs respond
Curious to learn more about this problem VIVA MÉDIA contacted the MP for Salaberry-Suroît and the MP for Vaudreuil, Claude DeBellefeuille and Peter Schiefke, respectively.
Asked about the situation, the Bloc MP for Salaberry-Suroît is not surprised. Mrs. DeBellefeuille receives dozens of these calls a week from people who are not receiving their money and even who are not able to reach anyone at the department.
“People wait more than two and a half hours to talk to someone, exclaims the MP. It’s not acceptable to have such long wait times. These people are deprived of their only source of income.”
Claude DeBellefeuille does not understand what is happening with the government. She wonders what the government has really done to ensure a good transition between CERB and employment insurance.
“If you have any questions about the application process or have any problems, contact us by email or phone, says Mrs. DeBellefeuille. My team and I will be there to help and support you.”
On the government side, Peter Schiefke is reassuring. He believes that every effort is being made to ensure that requests are processed. He explains that people from different departments came to help process the requests.
“I realize that CERB claims were much simpler than current employment insurance claims, says Mr. Schiefke. The programs are there for Canadians and we can help them.”
The MP for Vaudreuil points out that he even hired two part-time employees to help with the high call volume in his office. He is also aware that the system is slower, but the files are larger and take time to process.
“If you need help, my team is here to help, said MP Schiefke. We are reachable by phone, email and even on my Facebook page. We want to help as many people in the region as possible get by and we are taking the means to get there.”
