42 — Wednesday, January 8, 1997 — North Shore News NV college to spin Web sites STUDENTS will de spinning their own webs at Capilano Coliege in 1997. Starting Jan. 15, the new Online Publishing Certificate program will train students in designing und running a site on the World Wide Web. “The field is changing so fast that it’s almost impossible to keep up on your own,” said Crawford Kilian, chairman of the college’s media technology division. “We'll be offering systematic training in both basics and advanced techniques.” Less than five years old, the World Wide Web has grown explosively in the last vear as the hottest part of the Internet. Web sites offer information through text, geaphics, and sound — to anyone with a networked computer, any- where in the world. Kilian sees a real demand for people with a good under- standing of what works on the Web. “Most of our students will be working already in some computer- related field,” said Kilian. “They won't have to quit their day jobs because this program will run evenings and weekends — and online.” The program includes Web design, computer writing, HTML code wring, sound and graphics, web site manage- ment and maintenance. To learn more about the program e- mai} Kilian ar ckilian@hubcap.mlnet.com, or call 983-7585. Sheppards 852 W. HASTINGS AT HORNBY fort. tat HE EMPLOYMENT INSURANG | 7 On January. 5, 1997, chariges to. the Ergployment Insurance (Ely system toa “elect! The 2 ge : replaced the previous Unemployment insurance | (Ul) system-on July, tT; 4986: . _ " hélp unemptoyed workers, ‘get obs. Here: ‘are answers, to questions you may f these important changes. _ ew, Are we now counting hours instead of weeks? . Yes. Every paid hour of work will count to qualify for E!. A minimum of 420 to 700 hours (which is the equivatent of 12 to 20 weeks of 35 hours each) will be required, depending on the unemployment rate in your region. - If you are filing a claim after your first job, or - after an absence of 2 years or more from the workforce, you now require 910 hours to qualify. . To qualify for sickness, maternity or parental benefits, 2 minimum of 700 hours of work is required. How long can I receive Ei? The number of wesks payable is 14 to 45, . depending on the number of hours of _. insurable employment and the rata of : uneniployment i in your area: ~ Hf Il werk 15 hours or less a week, am | now " Covered by El? . ‘Yes. There are no longer any weekly minimum hours or dollars required to have insurable employment. All hours of work will .. count, and premiums will be payable on ~ every dollar earned. However, if you earn $2,000 or tess a year, your premiums will be - refunded when you file your income tax return. The method of reporting employment history “has been revised under.the new Employment '. Insurance System. The Government of Canada and employers have worked together to come up with an easier reporting system. _An information package has been sent to ali employers. {f you have not received one, contact your nearest Human Resource Centre of Canada. Does past receipi of El benefits affect future claims? Yes. The normal benefit rate is 55% of your insured earnings. This could be reduced by 1% for every 20 weeks claimed from July 1996. The maximum that the benefit rate can be reduced to, is 50% after 100 weeks “ee claimed. This adjustment to the benefit rate is called the intensity rule. Remember: The intensity rule does not apply to people receiving the Family Supplement, sickness, maternity or parental benefits. Whe can receive the new Family Supplement? Claimants with children and a family income under $25,921, who also receive the Child Tax Benefit are entitled to the new Family Supplement. Eligible claimants will receive up,.to 65% of their insurable earnings. However, the maximum benefit still remains $413 a week for al! claimants. ; Will there be any change te my El premium deductions as of January? Yes. The Ei premium rate for 1997 is lower than last year. However, as of January you may notice a difference in the way your premium is deducted over the course of the year. There is ~ne longer a weekly maximum, of $750 on your - WHAT’S NEW.FOR EMPLOYERS? What is different about the Record of Employment? . In general, for each employee, you will have to report only the following: the first and !ast day of work, the total hours worked in the pay periods in the last 53 wéeks, and the total insurable earnings for the last 27 weeks. What is the new hours-based system? As of January 1, 1997, every hour worked and paid is insurabie, which means that earnings of all workers are now insurable. insurable earnings. Premiums are now payable on every dollar you earn up to the the yearly maximum of $39,000. Once you have reached . $39, 000, you will.not have to pay any more premiums. For.example, if your salary is $58,500 a year, you will pay all your El ‘premiums i in the first eight months and none for the rest of the year. Am | allowed to earn more than before without losing benefits? Yes. All claimants, regardless of their income, cun earn $50 a week, or 25% of their regular benefit, whichever is greater, without facing . any loss of benefits. What are the new re-employment benefits? The Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories to put in place . New re-employment benefits to help Canadians get back to work. These benefits may*include: Targeted Wage © : Subsidies, to encourage emplovers to ‘ provide'on-the-job experience leading to. long-term employment; Self-employment | Assistance, to help unemployed people start their own businesses; Job Creation Partnerships, local partnerships to create work opportunities and sustainable jobs in your community. Are premiums now calculated differentiy? Yes. They’are now calculated on each dollar of insurable earnings to an annual maximum of $39,000, instead of a weekly maximum. What is the New Hires Program? if you are a smali employer who paid fess than $60,000 in employer's premiums in 1996, you will be entitled to a refund in 1997 and 1998, if your overall premium bill goes up by $259.00 or more. . STRICTER ENFORCEMENT*PENALTIES |. Under El, claimants who commit fruud now face stiffer rules. More hours of work will be required to qualify for future claims, and financial penalties may increase. * call toll free 1 800 276-7655 to receive a brochure on Canada’s new Employment Insurance system (TTY 1 800 465-7735) Human Resources Development Canada iv Employers who engage in fraud will also face stricter financial penalties ~ which can be up to $12,009 per offence or the total of claimant penalties in collusion cases. “FOR MORE INFORMATION: . + visit your nearest Human Resource Centre of Canada listed in the Government of Canada pages of your telephone book under Human Resources Development Canada. Développement des ressources humaines Canada !f claimants or employers make an honest mistake and forget to give us inforrnation, it is not too late to provide it. Under our disclosure policy, we can waive any penalty or prosecution, if the matter is not already. under investigation. « look on the Internet at http://www. hrde-drhe.ge.ca Canada