Western Premiers to the rescue - PART 1

The western Canadian premiers, in their conference north of 60, have declared that it is crucial that the federal government make EI fair for all Canadians.  That means they must back Iggy's demand that we get rid of the 58 regions of EI and have only one.  Right?

Wrong.  Their idea of fairness is to discriminate between big cities, smaller centres and rural areas.  That's fairness for all Canadians?

You know the difference between an unemployed stiff in Rouleau, Sask. (I pick them because when Dog River -- aka Corner Gas -- closed shop it put at least Wanda out of work and onto EI) and Toronto (I pick them cause it is a big city)?  The only difference is that the cost of living is higher in Toronto and when you have no income, it can be a bitch.

Come on, boys.  Make it fair.  One rule for all Canadians.  Losing a job is tough enough without the government making it tougher.

And by the way, two of the regions that have different rules for EI benefits are Ottawa and Gatineau.  The folks in Gatineau, just across the river from Ottawa, get more and faster EI benefits than the unemployed folks in Ottawa.

Still think it's fair, lads?