Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP raises issues related to Employment Benefits for the Fishery in Question Period

Fishing Boats at Rushbrook Floats

Changes to the application process introduced after hundreds of fish harvesters on the West Coast had applied for Employment Benefits made for the theme of a Question in the House of Commons today by Skeena- Bulkley Valley. 

Taylor Bachrach provided the House over some of the recent struggles facing those in the West Coast industry and outlined his concerns over the rejected status of the applications as part of today's session.

"Hundreds of Fish Harvesters on BC's Coast applied for Employment Insurance based on the eligibility criteria on the Department's website, after they applied the Department changed the criteria its the website and now is rejecting their applications ... These fish harvesters have borne the brunt of recent fisheries closures, after years with little or no income, many are just barely hanging on"

The Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP also sought to find out what led to the rejected applications.

"Now either the government failed to communicate the eligibility criteria, or it changed the goal posts at the last minute"

Those looking for some useful guidance from the Government side of the House however, probably didn't hear anything of value.

That as, Mike Kelloway, the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard, spoke in general terms of supports during the pandemic and plans to be there for fish harvesters following the end of the pandemic.  

But as to the question posed, he provided no direct answer towards the rejected benefits issues.

More notes related to the North Coast Fishery can be explored here.

Further themes from the House of Commons can be reviewed here.