SUMMARY

(a) changes the name of the Act back to its original name;

(b) specifies certain payments that are excluded from earnings;

(c) allows benefits to continue while a claimant is on training to improve employability;

(d) cancels the waiting period;

(e) includes dependent contractors;

(f) alters the duration of benefits;

(g) changes the added benefits respecting local unemployment;

(h) provides additional benefits for permanent layoff;

(i) creates a separate Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to replace the present Employment Insurance Account, which is a part of the Consolidated Revenue Fund;

(j) replaces the present Commission with an independent Commission to be the trustee of the Fund and the administrator of the Act;

(k) removes the different status of re-entrants and new entrants;

(l) places the burden of proof on the Commission to prove ``arm's length'' status and ``just cause for leaving a job'';

(m) ensures that every office and telephone access point that delivers services under the Act has an HRDC representative available;

(n) ensures that every office has a claimant's advocate;

(o) limits to 8 weeks the loss of benefits from voluntary leaving or dismissal for just cause;

(p) allows employees to receive every year up to 5 weeks of training directed at career development; and

(q) specifies that no interest is payable by a claimant in certain circumstances.