UPDATE: Council Board member marches in Montreal against EI attacks

Abdul Pirani at the protest against EI changes in Montreal on Saturday.

Council of Canadians Board member and Montreal chapter activist Abdul Pirani joined an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people who marched in Montreal this past weekend against the Harper government’s attacks on Employment Insurance that were adopted in the first omnibus legislation, C-38.

The Montreal Gazette reported, “Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Montreal on Saturday for the latest protest against proposed reforms to federal employment insurance. …MPs from all three federal opposition parties were in attendance, as were Parti Québécois MNA Daniel Breton and former Québec solidaire candidate Manon Massé.”

CTV notes, “The protest was organized by Quebec’s coalition against employment insurance reform, which is made up of representatives from five labour unions and the two main organizations representing unemployed people.” The coalition includes the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ); the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN); the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ); the Centrale des syndicats démocratiques (CSD); the Syndicat de la fonction publique et parapublique du Québec (SFPQ); the Mouvement autonome et solidaire des sans-emploi (MASSE); and the Conseil national des chômeurs (CNC). The Council of Canadians and Common Causes asked its supporters in the Montreal-area to participate in this protest.

The Canadian Press adds, “The changes have sparked protests across the country, particularly in Quebec and the Maritimes, where many workers have seasonal jobs.” A CBC TV report highlights that more protests are expected in the coming weeks and months if the Harper government does not back down on these changes. In Quebec, a panel formed by the provincial government will be touring the province to the study the effects of the EI changes and to make recommendations.

The changes made by the Harper government to Employment Insurance, implemented this January, include a requirement for unemployed workers to accept jobs with a 30-per-cent cut in salary and to travel 100 kilometres for a new job. The Harper government estimates the changes will save $12.5 million this year and $33 million next year.

Photo by Abdul Pirani

For more, please read:
UPDATE: Take action against EI cuts, April 26-May 1
UPDATE: South Shore chapter protests changes to Employment Insurance
UPDATE: Protest against Harper’s attack on EI to take place in Montreal on April 27
Council of Canadians opposes C-38