It's Monday the start of another work week. If you have time please cut and paste the following letter into an email to Dianne Findley, Minister of HRSDC and CC you MP.
Her email is Finley.D@parl.gc.ca ,
Feel free to edit the letter, I am certainly not a pro at this, so have at it, and her! Also forward it to your friends, employees, co-workers, family, and friends to have them send it also, PLEASE.
We need to keep the pressure on.
FebruaryXX 2009
Dear Honourable Dianne Findley
I am writing to you today on behalf of the 2.3 Million Self Employed Canadians who now find themselves or may find themselves “unself-employed” during this economic downturn in our economy.
I was encouraged by your Governments commitment to strike a Panel of Experts to study the best way to bring Parental and Maternity benefits to some of the Self Employed men and women. There was also some inclusion in the special allotment of $500 Million for training, which is also good.
The main thrust of the National Campaign for Equality in EI for the Self Employed is to bring all of those who wish to opt in, the ability to contribute to and be able to access benefits for Medical, Parental, Maternity and General Benefits across Canada.
As it has been pointed out to you in past letters, this is very doable and legislation is there in the Employment Insurance Act to allow Parliament to quickly open it up to us.
As for determining who is or isn’t in dire need, there are many easy avenues to show the need. As the burden of proof is rightly on the Self Employed individual to show need, many mitigating factors are normally present.
Parental Benefits and Maternity Benefits and Medical Benefits would fall under the same rules and proof of need as any other Canadian applying for those Benefits.
As was mistakenly pointed out in the Canadian Press article on January 27th by a representative of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the allotment of General Benefits for the Self Employed is in fact not hard to prove need.
An assortment of documents produced by someone other than the claimant, such as, Bankruptcy Filings, Statement of Business failure by a accredited accountant, and bank statements, would certainly prove the need and failure of their livelihood. As for the other comments by the CFIB, I would like to point out that their membership is stated by them as 105,000 Independent Business people. Our numbers are 2.3 Million and we feel they do not speak for us nor should they.
Most of us have saved for rainy days such as what is now upon our nation, and unfortunately we , like most Canadians have seen those savings disappear. Even if some Self Employed had some savings left, that doesn’t mean they have to use them up before seeking Benefits, as other Canadians in the same situation do not have to. And at this time if any Canadian had any spare money to invest, just what would they invest in?
This can be done, it could be self financing just like the rest of the EI program, along with the fact that it would only add approximately 1-2 % to the allotted amount scheduled to be spent on improved EI benefits. That is very a very small investment by the current Government to save a major portion of the backbone of Canada’s economy at this time of uncertainty, if they require assistance.
In closing I will only ask that you and your departmental policy staff take a hard look at the points I have brought forward and that when you strike this Panel of Experts looking at Parental and Maternity Benefits you seek to include actual Self Employed Canadians to be an integral part of the panel.
I wish you all the best and look forward to positive news in the media and within our group as you move forward.
Sincerely
Monday, February 2, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
We have Action
I have just found in the fine print of the budget that the government is striking a panel of experts to study the best way to allow self employed women to get maternity Benefits. This now means that if they implement that we have a clear charter issue and lots more ammunition to fight for full benefits and medical.
I sent the Minister a quick message to ask to be one of her experts, worth a shot.
Everyone talk amongst your yourselves have a celebratorical drink if you imbide. I'm a happy protagonist!!!!
the quote " and the establishment of an expert panel to study how best to provide maternity and parental benefits to the self-employed." and
"Money will also be provided for a strategic training and transition fund for Canadians no eligible for EI training, including the self-employed and those who have been out of work."
I sent the Minister a quick message to ask to be one of her experts, worth a shot.
Everyone talk amongst your yourselves have a celebratorical drink if you imbide. I'm a happy protagonist!!!!
the quote " and the establishment of an expert panel to study how best to provide maternity and parental benefits to the self-employed." and
"Money will also be provided for a strategic training and transition fund for Canadians no eligible for EI training, including the self-employed and those who have been out of work."
Media Coverage Attained
A friend sent me this search he ran on our Campaign thru Google, we sure hit the whole country
but we got to keep at them
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=ei+for+the+self+employed+%2B+chris+Hopkins&meta=
but we got to keep at them
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=ei+for+the+self+employed+%2B+chris+Hopkins&meta=
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Letter to Iggy and Senior Liberals
Gentlemen;
I'm the guy who started the Campaign for Equality in the EI Act for the Self Employed, it's gained alot of strength these past few days and got a wonderful amount of very positive press.
I was disgusted with the budget just presented as it does nothing for any of the 600,000 unemployed who paid into it yet are deemed ineligible. They can't get any of that skills and training dollars because they aren't drawing and can't draw EI. There was nothing pegged towards the self employed not even his maternity benefits promise in September.
Michael I can only hope that you stand by your word that this budget had to Help the Vulnerable! I don't see it, there's nothing. There's more money for banks that made huge profits off Canadians for years now they get our tax dollars also! More money for the foreign auto sector who are part of the problem certainly not part of the solution. They, the Harper government got this wrong, way wrong and now it's up to you and the rest of the official opposition to stand up for all of the vulnerable Canadians that were completely discarded in the trash , again by Harper. man up and either force amendments to change what needs to be changed to help those Canadians most in economic need or defeat it and lets get on with a real government for Canada.
Sincerely
Chris Hopkins
EI For The Self Employed
I'm the guy who started the Campaign for Equality in the EI Act for the Self Employed, it's gained alot of strength these past few days and got a wonderful amount of very positive press.
I was disgusted with the budget just presented as it does nothing for any of the 600,000 unemployed who paid into it yet are deemed ineligible. They can't get any of that skills and training dollars because they aren't drawing and can't draw EI. There was nothing pegged towards the self employed not even his maternity benefits promise in September.
Michael I can only hope that you stand by your word that this budget had to Help the Vulnerable! I don't see it, there's nothing. There's more money for banks that made huge profits off Canadians for years now they get our tax dollars also! More money for the foreign auto sector who are part of the problem certainly not part of the solution. They, the Harper government got this wrong, way wrong and now it's up to you and the rest of the official opposition to stand up for all of the vulnerable Canadians that were completely discarded in the trash , again by Harper. man up and either force amendments to change what needs to be changed to help those Canadians most in economic need or defeat it and lets get on with a real government for Canada.
Sincerely
Chris Hopkins
EI For The Self Employed
Gross Disappointments
Well now, I had to use the term Gross Disappointment for what has just been put to the House of Commons and Canadians. Other than tagging on 5 weeks of benefits for those already drawing EI, there is nothing there for either the Self Employed or the 600,000 unemployed Canadians who paid in yet are deemed ineligible by the current governments rules.
It made me sick to my stomach when I realised that they are helping the very people that caused this downturn and caused the layoffs and 100,000 unemployed but squat for the uneemployed. I can only hope that Iggy will keep his word that for his support the budget must address the VULNERABLE, because it isn't there. He also said he would not support broad based tax cuts, though small they're there. How on earth do these guys think that they'll have a surplus in 4 years. Do they really think we're that stupid.
We will keep fighting, I don't see this as a set back, maybe I should have started it earlier but I will march on and hopefully you will also.
It made me sick to my stomach when I realised that they are helping the very people that caused this downturn and caused the layoffs and 100,000 unemployed but squat for the uneemployed. I can only hope that Iggy will keep his word that for his support the budget must address the VULNERABLE, because it isn't there. He also said he would not support broad based tax cuts, though small they're there. How on earth do these guys think that they'll have a surplus in 4 years. Do they really think we're that stupid.
We will keep fighting, I don't see this as a set back, maybe I should have started it earlier but I will march on and hopefully you will also.
Response to CFIB Comments in CP Story
I know many readers of this blog have read the CP story from Monday across Canada. I just sent the following letter to Corinne Pohlmann of the CFIB in response to her remarks.
I feel I straightened her out.
Hello Corinne;
My name is Chris Hopkins and I am the self employed small business man who started the Campaign for Equality in the EI Act for the Self Employed. I have been meaning to comment back to you directly regarding your remarks on this subject with CTV news. Firstly I am of the belief that everyone is allowed their point of View.
I don't believe CFIB speaks for the self employed. certainly not the majority of us. Your organization claims to have 105,000 members yet there are at last count 2.3 million Self Employed.
Your comments that your membership would rather invest their money instead of paying into EI. I'm sure some could afford to do that but most of us don't have the money to invest in the first place and with today's market "invest in what". Again you aren't speaking for the majority of self employed when you made that remark.
Thirdly, as far as administering the change, you state that your organization feels it's unworkable. Again I disagree.
If a self employed person decides to "opt in" and pay into the fund for at least 6 months, the facts will speak for themselves when they apply for benefits.
What differences to you see id a regular claimant and a self employed claimant if they are applying for Maternity or Medical benefits? Do the self employed fake illness and pregnancy?
As for regular unemployed claimants, a accounting from their accountant showing business failure, bankruptcy filings and bank accounts go a very long way to proving the need of this individual.
On top of that many self employed business people have employees, likely in the 100,s of thousands. if the business fails those employees are eligible for EI benefits, why shouldn't the business owner and employer have that same social safety net? If CFIB closes down you'd get benefits? If my business goes bankrupt why can't I put in a claim.
I'm not doing all of this work for myself, I believe it's too late for my business, It's pretty much toast and by my own feelings one would have to pay into the fund for at least 6 months before making a claim. That isn't going to be feasible in my case.
So, please take the time to research the whole problem and the solutions before you and your organization pontificates on the subject, against the 2.3 million self employed.
Regards
Chris Hopkins
Further news this Tuesday, Senator Nick Sibbetson from the Western Arctic is now a supporter and will be speaking to others in the Red Chamber about this campaign.
I feel I straightened her out.
Hello Corinne;
My name is Chris Hopkins and I am the self employed small business man who started the Campaign for Equality in the EI Act for the Self Employed. I have been meaning to comment back to you directly regarding your remarks on this subject with CTV news. Firstly I am of the belief that everyone is allowed their point of View.
I don't believe CFIB speaks for the self employed. certainly not the majority of us. Your organization claims to have 105,000 members yet there are at last count 2.3 million Self Employed.
Your comments that your membership would rather invest their money instead of paying into EI. I'm sure some could afford to do that but most of us don't have the money to invest in the first place and with today's market "invest in what". Again you aren't speaking for the majority of self employed when you made that remark.
Thirdly, as far as administering the change, you state that your organization feels it's unworkable. Again I disagree.
If a self employed person decides to "opt in" and pay into the fund for at least 6 months, the facts will speak for themselves when they apply for benefits.
What differences to you see id a regular claimant and a self employed claimant if they are applying for Maternity or Medical benefits? Do the self employed fake illness and pregnancy?
As for regular unemployed claimants, a accounting from their accountant showing business failure, bankruptcy filings and bank accounts go a very long way to proving the need of this individual.
On top of that many self employed business people have employees, likely in the 100,s of thousands. if the business fails those employees are eligible for EI benefits, why shouldn't the business owner and employer have that same social safety net? If CFIB closes down you'd get benefits? If my business goes bankrupt why can't I put in a claim.
I'm not doing all of this work for myself, I believe it's too late for my business, It's pretty much toast and by my own feelings one would have to pay into the fund for at least 6 months before making a claim. That isn't going to be feasible in my case.
So, please take the time to research the whole problem and the solutions before you and your organization pontificates on the subject, against the 2.3 million self employed.
Regards
Chris Hopkins
Further news this Tuesday, Senator Nick Sibbetson from the Western Arctic is now a supporter and will be speaking to others in the Red Chamber about this campaign.
Monday, January 26, 2009
One Last Chance to Influence
Tomorrows our last chance to influence the budget, and the oppositions view that this should be in there and to show them that we're serious. So if you have time tomorrow morning before they go sit on their bums give your MP a call or send them an email reminding them of how you feel about the need to bring equality to the EI Program for the 2.3 Million self employed in Canada. Then watch it if you can.
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