Debates of March 18, 2004 (day 3)
Member’s Statement On Timely Receipt Of GNWT Records Of Employment
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to draw attention to an apparent problem that has arisen within our government. The problem I refer to, Mr. Speaker, is the fact that several of my constituents have waited an inordinate amount of time for their record of employment from our government.
As most people are aware, Mr. Speaker, a record of employment is required by Human Resources Development Canada in order for a person to qualify for unemployment benefits. Mr. Speaker, in the employment insurance guide issued by HRDC it states that a record of employment must be issued within five calendar days of the interruption of earnings or the date that the employer becomes aware of the interruption.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are indicating to me that they are having to wait up to two months for their record of employment. This is totally unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. These same people have families to support and they are not able to access employment insurance until they receive this document.
Mr. Speaker, one constituent wrote to me that this is the second year in a row that he has had to encounter the same problems with receiving his record of employment from the GNWT. I would like to quote an excerpt from his letter to me in this regard. It states: “I would request that you do whatever you can to correct this injustice so that no other family, man or woman have to go through this unreasonable delay in getting benefits that are rightfully theirs.”
I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Speaker. I believe that we owe it to our employees to ensure that this situation is rectified so that it does not happen again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause