Tories overlooking value of older workers, panel member says
Published Friday November 14th, 2008
OTTAWA - By "shelving" a report on how Employment Insurance and other programs could be reformed to help older workers, the Conservatives are overlooking a tool to help the economy rebound after the current turmoil, says a member of the panel that produced the report.
Françoise Bertrand, president of the federation of chambers of commerce in Quebec, was on the Expert Panel on Older Workers chaired by retired New Brunswick senator Erminie Cohen.
The panel spent most of 2007 studying how to improve the job prospects of older workers, and how public policy could help displaced older workers.
Their 110-page report was quietly released by then-minister of Human Resources and Social Development Monte Solberg in late July, months after it was submitted to him.
Solberg turned down Cohen's repeated requests to hold a news conference to unveil the report.
Cohen went public this week with her frustration with the report's fate.
Bertrand shares Cohen's criticism.
"We all felt let down," she said. "They didn't want any press attention.
"It's obvious they didn't want to touch it. It's obviously very disappointing when you work hard."
Six of the panel's recommendations focused on aspects of Employment Insurance, including a call for a wholesale review of the program.
National labour groups and some opposition MPs have expressed concerns this week that EI will not be a strong enough safety net for workers when a recession hits.
The panel's review of research showed that older workers, particularly in declining industries, are especially vulnerable in a recession. It is harder for them to find other work and recover their lost earnings after they are laid off.
Bertrand argued it's also important for the federal government to respond decisively to the demographic challenges of an aging workforce - one factor in forecasts of looming labour shortages.
Quebec employers are still forecast to be short 700,000 workers by 2010, and Canada two million workers by 2020, she said.
"We absolutely need to review how we organize work - including policies, programs, subsidies and businesses," she said.
The current economic turmoil simply means "we'll have to be even more competitive, more keen and more prepared to face the turmoil, hoping that by 2010, we'll be out of it," said Bertrand.
"Unless we take care of our labour force and transfer their knowledge and make sure every person capable of work is working, we'll be losing ground."
Bertrand argued that improving the extent to which older workers participate in the workforce is as important to the economy as immigration and helping families reconcile the work-life balance.
Cohen had argued the panel's recommendations are even more relevant now that the economy is teetering on the brink of a recession.
Bertrand acknowledged the Harper government has taken some steps - such as a two-year, $70-million targeted initiative for older workers - but said that's not enough.
"It's a little here, a little there, but no global vision or strategy," she said.
"I suppose many reports get shelved like this one," she said. "I suppose we're not the first ones to be frustrated about it.
"It's now up to organizations like the one I lead to make noise about these issues.
"We'll not sleep tight on it - au contraire."
Solberg retired from federal politics before the fall election.
His successor as minister is Diane Finley, whose press secretary could not be reached for comment Thursday.
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