SoVote

Bill C-37

44th Parl. 1st Sess.

December 14, 2022

This bill, known as Bill C-37, is an amendment to the Department of Employment and Social Development Act. It has two main objectives: 1. Establish the Employment Insurance Board of Appeal: This board will replace the Employment Insurance Section of the General Division of the Social Security Tribunal and will be responsible for hearing appeals of decisions made under the Employment Insurance Act. It will provide a separate avenue for individuals to challenge decisions related to their employment insurance benefits. 2. Eliminate the Requirement for Leave to Appeal: Currently, individuals seeking to appeal decisions under the Employment Insurance Act must obtain leave from the Appeal Division of the Social Security Tribunal. This bill eliminates this requirement, making the appeal process more accessible and efficient. The bill also includes consequential amendments to other Acts, such as the Federal Courts Act, Labour Adjustment Ben

A steelman argument in favor of Bill C-37 is that it improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the appeals process for decisions made under the Employment Insurance Act. By establishing the Employment Insurance Board of Appeal, the bill streamlines the process by removing the requirement for leave to appeal decisions to the Appeal Division of the Social Security Tribunal. This eliminates an additional step and reduces the burden on individuals appealing decisions. Additionally, the bill ensures that appeals are heard by a dedicated Board of Appeal, rather than the General Division of the Social Security Tribunal, which may have a broader jurisdiction. This specialization can lead to more consistent and knowledgeable decisions in employment insurance appeals. Overall, Bill C-37 aims to improve access to justice and enhance the fairness of the appeals process for individuals seeking recourse under the Employment Insurance Act.

One steelman argument opposing this bill could be concerns over the potential inefficiency and increased costs associated with establishing a separate Employment Insurance Board of Appeal. It could be argued that the current structure, with the Employment Insurance Section of the General Division of the Social Security Tribunal, is already set up to handle appeals efficiently and effectively. Creating a new board may require additional administrative and operational resources, including the recruitment, training, and ongoing management of new board members. These added costs could be passed on to taxpayers, potentially resulting in increased taxes or reduced funding for other important government programs. Furthermore, the transition process from the current system to the new board could also create confusion and delays for individuals seeking to appeal decisions related to the Employment Insurance Act. Overall, it could be argued that