| Abstract | Canada's knowledge society labour policy is reflected in the federal government's re-designing and re-scaling of the welfare state. Part of this re-designing has been connecting labour market and social policy - that is combining the ‘workfare model' with the ‘social investment model' of lifelong learning. These changes are reflected in the 1995 Employment Insurance Act (EIA) with an emphasis on the re-commodification of labour and the importance of active reemployment. Under this policy, all working age individuals' have a duty and obligation to work whether they receive social assistance, employment insurance benefits or a disability pension. In addition to tightening employment insurance eligibility requirements the Act has also shortened benefit periods. The Act is also accompanied by a minimal safety net that offers short-term employment public programs, available on a competitive basis to community non-government organizations, ostensibly to assist those who have been previously excluded from the workforce. An emphasis has been placed on life-long learning and skills and training for those planning on entering or re-entering the workforce. More recently the federal government has launched, what it refers to as a citizen-centric on-line employment services. Client services include: the on-line data Job Bank, a web-based network of Canadian job postings; the Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE), that matches job seekers with businesses; on-line Employment Insurance (EI), reporting for those out-of work and receiving benefits, as well as the on-line Web Record of Employment (ROE). |
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