The government is promising a parallel, transitional benefit with EI-like components for those who can't yet -- "and I emphasize yet," said Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough — get into the EI system. It will include access to training and the ability to work more hours without having as steep a clawback in benefit payments. The government is also promising to relax EI eligibility rules like the number of hours required to receive support payments. Speaking Friday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the goal is to move everyone receiving CERB to employment insurance, and cover anyone looking for work "with a better, 21st-century EI system." Those eye-popping numbers were the reason the EI system was shelved in favour of the CERB in March, as federal officials worried the volume of claims would overwhelm the decades-old system.

Source: CBC News July 31, 2020 17:54 UTC