"Due to a number of factors including the turmoil in the crab fishery this past season, many individuals were unable to obtain a sufficient number of work weeks to qualify for EI and as a result face difficult times especially with winter coming upon them," said Reid.

Reid has received hundreds of calls in the past three weeks from residents in his own district, especially in the areas of Change Islands and Herring Neck where fish plants didn’t operate as a result of the cod closure.

Reid went on to say that in talking to his colleagues who represent rural areas of the province, it appears that this situation is widespread and should be addressed immediately.

Each fall for the past fourteen years, the Liberal government implemented job creation programs for those who through no fault of their own did not meet the minimum requirements to qualify for Employment Insurance benefits.

"With Christmas just around the corner, I am calling on government to immediately put a program into place to assist those most in need in the rural areas of our province," said Reid.