Members of the Langley Chamber's Policy Committee and our CEO met with Nancy Healey, the federal Commissioner of Employers at the EI program.  Over an hour, they discussed the rising costs facing businesses, including increasing payroll taxes to fund EI.  The group also explored ways to ensure the EI program is fulfilling its goal, and not exacerbating labour shortages or increasing the financial burden on businesses.

The Commissioner's role is as an advocate and voice for businesses within the government in regards to Employment Insurance -- and the Chamber plays a key role in supporting and providing input into that advocacy. 

Currently, there are 94,000 people in BC on EI right now despite there being 150,000+ job vacancies, suggesting governments need to do better in connecting the unemployed to job opportunities. 

The EI program also has a $27 billion COVID-driven deficit, and the Langley Chamber shared our view that EI premiums (paid by employers and employees) cannot be expected to cover this shortfall, something we've advocated to the Minister and our MP as well.  Doing so would mean continued payroll tax increases over the coming years.