Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was back in Calgary on Tuesday and started the day with a discussion on Employment Insurance.

Trudeau took part in a roundtable discussion and spoke to the media from the Kerby Centre.

"We all sat down together this morning and had a really good conversation, a very honest conversation. People told me about their situations and about what they need and government to do to help them get through this difficult period. One thing that kept coming back is their hopes to see Alberta come through this difficult period stronger," said Trudeau. "Oil and gas have been hard hit but the whole community is feeling the effects. Whatever we can do to help one worker, will help the entire community."

Trudeau said his government would extend the duration of EI benefits in areas where economic recovery is slow and a rise in unemployment has been 'sharp and sustained'.

"Here in Calgary, this extension would mean that unemployed workers can claim an extra five weeks of regular benefits, up to a maximum of 50 weeks, providing temporary financial support that they need while they search for work. And for long-tenured workers, folks who haven't had to draw on the EI system in the past, the extension would provide up to 20 additional weeks of benefits up to a maximum of 70 weeks," he said.

The Liberals say they will reduce the waiting period for EI from two weeks to one and that they will improve the service to make it easier for Canadians to make a claim.

The EI talks come a week after the budget announced a boost to the program and the government says that 50,000 people will be able to benefit as a result of the change.

However, critics say that many areas that really need the help, like Edmonton and some areas of Saskatchewan are ineligible for the changes.

The government has said it picked 12 regions that needed the most help with extra weeks of EI benefits for jobless workers.

Those areas include Newfoundland and Labrador, parts of northern and southern Alberta, northern British Columbia, northern Manitoba, northern Ontario, northern Saskatchewan, Whitehorse and Nunvaut.

Trudeau also made a stop at SAIT to speak with students there.

Tuesday’s visit is Trudeau’s third trip to Calgary in the past two months.

In February, he met with Premier Rachel Notley to discuss pipelines and the EI changes.

He was also honoured by the Tsuu T’ina Nation earlier in March.

(With files from the Canadian Press)