The Feds will reveal their planned changes to the Employment Insurance program on Thursday.

Those changes will make it tougher for Canadians to claim E-I by narrowing down the definition of what constitutes "suitable work" and a "reasonable job offer."

It may also provide for a gradual reduction of benefits for frequent applicants, a measure that would hurt seasonal workers.

Critics worry the changes to E-I will make it much more difficult for people to qualify for benefits, or to turn down a job.

At the same time, Human Resources Minister Diane Finley's department has stopped sending Statistics Canada key and current information about how much federal money is flowing to each of the provinces for E-I claimants.

(with files by E. Macko & The Canadian Press)