Employment Insurance
Employment Insurance (EI) provides temporary income support to eligible workers in Canada who lose employment through no fault of their own or who are away from work for specific reasons authorized in legislation. EI is funded by employer and employee premiums and administered by Employment and Social Development Canada via Service Canada.
| Type | Contributory social insurance (premiums) |
|---|---|
| Main benefit types | Regular • Sickness • Maternity & Parental • Family caregiver/compassionate care • Fishing (self-employed fishers) • Work-Sharing support (employers & employees) |
| Delivery | Service Canada (applications, payments, compliance) |
| Official info | canada.ca/ei |
Who is covered
Most employees in insurable employment contribute via payroll deductions; employers contribute their share. Certain self-employed workers can opt into EI for special benefits (maternity/parental, sickness, caregiver) under specific rules.
Eligibility and how entitlement is calculated
- Insurable hours: You must have accumulated a required number of insurable hours in the qualifying period (thresholds vary by benefit type and labour-market conditions).
- Job separation: For regular benefits, you must be unemployed through no fault (e.g., shortage of work) and capable of and available for work.
- Weekly benefit rate: A proportion of average insurable earnings up to a maximum insurable amount; actual percentages, caps, and “best weeks” rules are set in legislation and updated periodically.
- Waiting period & reporting: A one-week waiting period usually applies; biweekly reports confirm continued eligibility for regular benefits.
Types of EI benefits
- Regular benefits
For eligible claimants who are actively seeking work after job loss not due to misconduct/quit without just cause.
- Sickness benefits
For temporary inability to work due to illness, injury, or quarantine, with medical documentation as required.
- Maternity and parental benefits
For people away from work due to pregnancy and caring for a newborn or newly adopted child; options exist for standard vs extended parental durations with different weekly rates.
- Family caregiver and compassionate care benefits
For those providing care or support to a critically ill or injured family member or a person who requires end-of-life care.
- Fishing benefits
For self-employed fishers based on fishing earnings during qualifying periods.
Work-Sharing (employers & employees)
A program to help avoid layoffs during temporary slowdowns when hours are reduced and EI partially compensates workers while they keep their jobs and skills.
Filing a claim
Apply promptly online through Service Canada. Provide ROEs (Records of Employment), identity and banking details, and any required medical or caregiving documents. Keep job-search records for regular benefits.
Premiums, taxes, and integrity
EI premiums are withheld by employers and remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency. EI benefits are taxable income and may have tax withheld at source. Integrity measures include verification of job-search efforts, medical eligibility, and employer compliance for Work-Sharing.
Appeals and reconsideration
Decisions can be reconsidered by Service Canada. Further appeals go to the Social Security Tribunal (General Division, then Appeal Division) with judicial review available at the Federal Court of Appeal on questions of law/jurisdiction.
See also
- Employment and Social Development Canada • Service Canada • Canada Revenue Agency
- Canada Pension Plan • Old Age Security • Economy of Canada
External links (official)
- Employment Insurance — Overview & apply: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html
- Work-Sharing Program: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing.html