Strathroy - Last night, the Ignatieff-led coalition with the NDP and Bloc Quebecois voted in favour of Bill C-343; An Act that would give Employment Insurance (EI) to youth who got injured as a result of committing a crime.

“Our Conservative government will never support a bill that rewards criminals as this one does,” commented local MP Bev Shipley. “If a 16 yr old falls down the stairs while robbing a house, this bill would provide thousands of dollars through EI so they can be cared for—which is unjust.”

This bill would amend the Canada Labour Code to allow employees to take unpaid leave from work if their minor child is unable to carry on regular activities because the child suffers a serious physical injury incurred during the commission or as the direct result of a criminal offence.  It also amends the Employment Insurance Act to allow these employees to receive benefits while on leave.

If a young criminal is injured while committing a crime, this bill would provide thousands of dollars through EI so they can be cared for up to an entire year, which would lead to an increase of EI premiums on law-abiding Canadian families and business owners to pay for the care of youth criminals.

“This is unjust and offensive to victims and their families, as well as to hard-working law-abiding Canadian taxpayers, said MP Shipley.   “Our Conservative Government will always stand up for the interests of victims of crime, while this is just another example of how the Ignatieff-led coalition is helping the criminals while ignoring the victims.”