POR Number: 056-08
Contract Number: G9178-070030/003/CY
Award Date: 2009-01-28
Fieldwork Completion Date: 2009-03-04
FINAL REPORT
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March 2009
Phoenix Strategic Perspectives Inc.
1678 Bank Street, Ste. 2, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 7Y6
Tel: (613) 260-1700 Fax: (613) 260-1300
Email: info@phoenixspi.ca
www.phoenixspi.ca
Phoenix SPI was commissioned by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) to conduct a survey with Canadians, 18 years and older, to explore issues related to the Employment Insurance (EI) Program. This study, which tracks data from similar surveys conducted from 1998 to 2008, was undertaken in order to explore public perceptions of the EI program and related matters. The telephone survey was completed by 1,515 respondents between February 14 and March 4, 2009. Based on a sample of this size and structure, the overall results can be considered to be accurate to within +/- 2.7%, 19 times out of 20.
Overview of Key FindingsWhile Canadians are currently pessimistic about the direction of the economy at all levels (i.e. national, provincial, and local), their confidence in maintaining employment remains high. They are also generally confident that the EI program will be there for them should they need it, and most feel that the benefits it provides are sufficient. Perceptions of the EI program are generally favourable, but awareness of the various elements and aspects of the program is sometimes low. This includes awareness of the newly created Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board (CEIFB) and of various measures undertaken by the government through the February 2009 Budget to enhance EI and provide additional funding for skills development and training. Despite limited awareness of the CEIFB, the vast majority acknowledge the importance of keeping a reserve in the CEIFB.
Key FindingsEconomic Perceptions
A majority of Canadians believe that the economy is weakening at the national (77%), provincial (71%) and local level (54%). The proportion who think the national economy is weakening has increased significantly compared to one year ago (77% vs. 28% in 2008), and is the highest it has been since tracking of this issue began. Despite this, a strong majority of employed and self-employed respondents (81%) think it is unlikely that they will lose their jobs in the coming year.
That said, for the first time since tracking began, fewer than half the employed respondents are categorical about their job security (i.e. that they are not at all likely to lose their job). It is also the first time since tracking began that fewer than half the currently employed Canadians who think they may lose their job in the next year believe they would be likely to find comparable or better employment in the next 12 months (32%).
Attitudes/knowledge of EI Program
Most employed respondents are confident they could access EI benefits if they were to lose their jobs (71%). One-third of respondents believe the EI program is being abused by seasonal workers, the lowest proportion since tracking of this issue began.
Just under half (47%) feel the EI program is fair, with the rest equally divided between neutrality and the perception that it is unfair (24% each). Those who described the EI program as unfair most often pointed to eligibility rules to explain why (25%). Almost half (48%) think the level of income support provided by the EI program is adequate, with an additional 5% describing it as generous, while 40% think it is insufficient.
A majority of Canadians said that the current EI program works well and needs only minor adjustments as problems arise (54%). However, over one-third (37%) see a need for major reforms. Those who think the EI program would benefit from changes were most likely to say that the level of benefits should be increased (21%). The large majority of Canadians (84%) would prefer to have a choice between receiving a higher amount of EI benefits over fewer weeks or a lower amount of benefits over a longer period of time.
Just over half of Canadians (52%) said they were not at all aware that additional benefits were available through the EI program for low-income families with children. Almost half of those who work for an employer indicated that they are very (30%) or somewhat aware (19%) of short-term illness benefits available through the EI program, while 41% said they were not at all aware of this, and 10% said they were not very aware of it.
Compassionate Care Benefits
Just under half of Canadians (49%) said they were somewhat or very aware of income benefits available to individuals who need to take time off work to care for a gravely ill or dying family member. Of the rest, 42% were not at all aware, while 9% were not very aware of the availability of such benefits. Of those who did not use Compassionate Care benefits during their time away from work to care for a gravely ill or dying person, well over half (62%) said they did not use them because they did not know about them. Over half of Canadians (55%) said they would be very likely to apply for Compassionate Care benefits if they were faced with a situation in which the need for such benefits arose. Another quarter said they would be somewhat likely to do so.
Interest of Self-Employed in Benefits
As has been the case in previous years, the survey findings show that a majority of self-employed Canadians (62-86%) are interested in benefits similar to those available to employees. Moreover, among those who say they are interested, two-thirds say they are willing to pay for a benefits package similar to the one currently available under the EI program.
Program Financing
Almost equal proportions of respondents think that EI premiums paid by Canadians have gone up over the past five years (32%) or stayed the same (33%). Nearly all the rest (29%) did not provide a response.
New Initiatives
The vast majority of Canadians (91%) are unaware of the creation of the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board (CEIFB). Despite limited awareness of the CEIFB, the vast majority consider it very important (59%) or somewhat important (31%) that the federal government makes provisions to keep a reserve in the CEIFB.
A majority of Canadians (65-79%) were also unaware of various measures undertaken by the government through the February 2009 Budget to enhance Employment Insurance and provide additional funding for skills development and training.
More Information:
Supplier Name: Phoenix Strategic Perspectives Inc.
PWGSC Contract Number: G9178-070030/003/CY
Award Date: 2009-01-28