A by-the-numbers look at the federal program for extended EI benefits
OTTAWA — Last year’s federal budget unveiled a program to help eligible workers in 12 regions of the country hard hit by a downturn in commodity prices. Three regions were added in May. Eligible workers received an extra five weeks of regular benefits effective July 2016 but retroactive to January 2015. Long-tenured workers in the regions were also eligible for an extra 20 weeks of benefits, to a maximum of 70 weeks — again, starting last July but retroactive to January 2015.
Here is a breakdown, by region, of the number of claims and how much they have cost.
Claims for an extra five weeks of EI
Newfoundland and Labrador: 42,142