Availability for Work

Questions to Answer
Is claimant capable of work? Is claimant willing to work? Has claimant made efforts to find work? Does claimant have employment restrictions? Are restrictions "undue" according to labour market information?
References
Act: sections 18, 49, subsections 50(7), 50(8) Regulations: section 32
Legal test
availability is a question of fact, which should normally be disposed of on the basis of an assessment of the evidence desire to return to the labour market as soon as possible demonstrating this desire by making reasonable and customary efforts to find suitable employment remaining free of personal requirements which would unduly limit the opportunities for work.
Onus of proof
*Claimant* must prove availability for work
Key Case Law
BOIS A-31-00, FAUCHER A-56-96, POIRIER A-57-96: See Legal test CORNELISSEN-O'NEILL A-652-93, BERTRAND A-613-81: Reasons for not looking for work vs statutory requirement to prove availability CLOUTIER A-400-04, PENNEY A-388-04,WHITE A-736-95, DONOHUE A-432-97, Supreme Court [26867], A-479-94: Just cause for voluntary leaving vs obligation to prove availability. Claimants needed at home to care for family members. GAUTHIER A-552-03, LAMONDE A-566-04, SMITH A-619-04, GAGNON A-556-04, GIBBS A-87-04, BOLAND A-129-03, RIDEOUT A-670-02, LODER A-669-02, VEZINA A-736-01, PRIMARD A-683-01, NORMAN A-500-01, PAXTON A-486-01, BOURGAULT A-43-01, NASH A-740-00, BOIS A-31-00, LANDRY A-719-91, FLOYD A-168-93, MACDONALD A-672-93, GRAVELINE A-177-94, MACPHERSON A-631-94: Availability for work while attending course of instruction. STOLNIUK A-686-93, LEDUC A-134-95: no warning given before disentitlement vs the right to benefit when not available for work "suitable employment" and availability for work job search (LEDUC) absent from home area (LEDUC) MICHAEL A-1692-92: Repeated refusals to accept work and setting unreasonable salary requirements are indications of non-availability. WHIFFEN A-1472-92, BLONDAHL A-209-93: restriction to area relocation with spouse GEORGES A-372-96: Referral to a course is not subject to appeal CARPENTIER A-474-97: Availability for work while on temporary lay-off with recall date FORTIN A-855-97: Availability for work while waiting outcome of grievance against dismissal. LAMIRANDE A-598-03: Availability due vacation periods.