EI - a misplaced feeling of entitlement.

Frankly, I am appalled at those Canadians who think they are entitled to claim EI after just 9 weeks of 40 hrs/week work or 360 hours. I have been a recipient of EI after the end of a 2-year contractual assignments, where I had put in 2500+ hours and being unused to the largess of Canadian benefits, the fact that I received EI for close to 7 months, was simply unbelievable. India, the country I migrated from, does not have EI or anything even remotely like it.

We all know that only a small percentage of the world's communities have systems like the EI, and instead of feeling lucky and privileged to be a member of Canada's generous regulations, we seem to be screaming the loudest for more and MORE AND MORE. How and when did Canadians become such leeches ? Would it surprise you to know that many Indo-Canadians think EI is like taking charity from the Government and they are too proud to claim EI? A Chinese friend of mine, told me the same thing - the Chinese-Canadians would do their utmost to keep away from the EI offices. Both these communities would prefer falling back on their savings during tough times or else their relatives will see them through the bad patches.

I am all for assimilating with the folks of my adopted country, but there are some things that Canadians think they are entitled to, that I will never abide by. We have one of the most generous EI benefits and changing the EI so you are entitled for claims after just 360 hours of work is one of them. This will make those Canadians already hell bent on sucking at the Government's udders, grow stronger gums and ultimately sharp piercing teeth. Damage done to the udders will need painful surgery and several years of recuperation. Just my humble opinion. From today's National Post: here