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NDP leader Tom Mulcair says the Liberal government needs to allow more Canadians to take advantage of employment insurance, especially given the economic hardships in the west.

“We know there is an increase in unemployment here in Saskatchewan and that there is opportunity therefore for the government to move rapidly on unemployment insurance,” Mulcair told reporters Tuesday during a stop in Saskatoon.

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Mulcair is in Saskatchewan to launch his party’s pre-budget consultations ahead of the Liberals’ first federal budget, which is expected in the coming months.

Mulcair and newly elected NDP MP Sheri Benson were scheduled to hold a town-hall style meeting Tuesday night to ask people about the budget. During a media availability earlier in the day, his attention was focused squarely on improving access to employment insurance.

“Right now, only 38 per cent of Canadians who lose their jobs are eligible for employment insurance. That is clearly a problem,” Mulcair said.