a reform inspired by the Canadian model under study

Compensating job seekers according to the unemployment rate, whether the labor market is healthy or not, is the model applied by Canada for several years. In Montreal, Quebec, Mischa Vorobiev was fired in February after 21 years at a large company. When he registers for his allowance, the unemployment rate is 4.8% in his province, a very low rate. This figure will partly determine the amount and duration of his compensation. “I get $628 a week for 36 weeks, that’s the most I can get”, he testifies. With a higher rate, he could have received more, for 45 weeks.

In Canada, if the unemployment rate in the region is higher than 13%, the benefit is calculated on the best 14 weeks. On the other hand, if the unemployment rate is below 6%, the best 22 weeks will be taken into account. “We do not want you, in France, to take this Canadian model which is a regressive model”says Paul Cerespokesperson for the National Council of the Unemployed. “The French government has already indicated that it wishes to draw inspiration from the Canadian model for its reform of unemployment insurance with one objective: to achieve full employment by 2027. It therefore remains to be seen to what extent the Canadian model will serve as an inspiration for this reform”concludes Camille Guttin, France Televisions correspondent in North America.