Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Bill Bradley 
If you have become unemployed, there is good news and bad news in the new federal budget, said local politicians.
The good news is that benefits are extended by a maximum of five weeks for a total of 50 weeks. But the restrictive nature of the current employment insurance program is still unchanged, said Sudbury NDP MP Glenn Thibeault.
"We asked to eliminate the two week waiting period. That did not happen. We asked for the system to be more flexible," he said.
"In one case, an individual who had paid into EI all his life was laid off. He was one hour short of the 700 hours needed to qualify. Why cannot the system have docked him a day's worth of EI at the end of the period? Surely the system is set up to help people out, especially in the times we are in now."
Ward 1 Coun. Joe Cimino agreed while it is nice to get an extra five weeks of benefits, the real need is at the front end, when people apply for benefits.
"The EI program is set up to help people. It should not be so restrictive. In the case of the individual mentioned by Glenn Thibeault, why not dock the fellow for lacking an hour, rather than denying him benefits. What if he can't get a job immediately?" 
Conservatives have stated in the budget they will provide $8.3 billion for the Canadian Skills and Transition Strategy.
"This includes extra support for people who have lost their jobs, including enhancements to Employment Insurance and more funding for skills and training development to help Canadians get better jobs," said a budget backgrounder from the federal government.
