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Changes to Employment Insurance for the Self-Employed

November 24th, 2009 • Taxes and GST, Regulations, Licences and Permits, Management and Operations

As a self-employed individual, your contribution to Canada's economy is important. Everybody wins when you choose to enjoy the benefits of creative freedom, the challenge and the self-satisfaction that often comes with self-employment.

It has no doubt crossed your mind that the lack of financial security can make self-employment less appealing. To encourage self-employment, the Government of Canada hopes to tackle at least some deterrents by introducing the Fairness for the Self-Employed Act.

Through the proposed legislation (the Act), you, as a self-employed Canadian, could choose to participate in the employment insurance (EI) program and become eligible for the same special benefits currently available to salaried employees. This includes:

maternity benefits (15 weeks maximum), which are available to birth mothers and cover the period surrounding birth (a claim can start up to 8 weeks before the expected birth date);

parental/adoptive benefits (35 weeks maximum), which are available to biological or adoptive parents while they are caring for a newborn or newly adopted child, and may be taken by either parent or shared between them (if parents choose to share these benefits, only one waiting period must be served);

sickness benefits (15 weeks maximum), which may be paid to a person who is unable to work because of sickness, injury or quarantine; and

compassionate care benefits (6 weeks maximum), which may be paid to persons who need to be away from work temporarily to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death.

Quebec Residents

If you are self-employed and you live in Quebec, you would continue to be eligible for maternity and parental benefits through the Quebec Parental Insurance Program for the Self-Employed Worker. In addition, you would become eligible to take advantage of the sickness and compassionate care benefits through the Government of Canada's employment insurance. If you chose to take advantage of the program, you would pay EI premiums at the same rates as employees in Quebec, where rates have already been lowered to take into account the provincial maternity and parental benefit plan.

Find out more

As a self-employed person, you may want to find out more about the introduction of the Fairness for the Self-Employed Act by reading the news release posted November 3, 2009 http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=493319
You can find out about current employment insurance as it applies to the self-employed, farmers, and independent workers by visiting http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/information/self_employed.shtml
If you are considering self-employment, start your adventure now with the help of Canada Business information on Starting a Business http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/125/

Comments

I am currently on EI and in the process of setting up my own consulting business. I need a small amount of financial support for a labtop and business cards only. Where would be the best place to apply for this type of funding?

thank you

Lori Yaccato

By Lori Yaccato on December 1st, 2009

i am curently in the process of starting my own garage for transports and for now all im looking for is a little money for buisness cards, flyers and fuel moneys to get travel for appointments .such as ui because i will be looking to hire 4 apprentices

By arthur larcher on December 6th, 2009

I’m currently working as a part time worker at a clerical department i’ve been working their for 11 years and my pay is very low and I don’t think I have a good future in that company. I would like to go to school for ECE program so that i can open up my own day care business and also help some low income family who cannot afford to put their kids to day care but I don’t have the money to pay for the course i want to take please help me get some loans so i could start my own business.

By Raquel Penaranda on December 8th, 2009

I have my business for research data collection. I need some counselor to find the good partner.

By Ibrahima Sako on December 8th, 2009

I am trying to get funding to bring in the equipment for residential projects to save people on a fixed income low income and industrial areas to help cut down heating cooling costs. Less heating cooling means less energy used.

By scott amirault on December 10th, 2009

I’m married to a Farmer who pays me a annual wage. I also work @ a High School, which lays me off every summer. My co-workers all collect EI. I’ve never applied because of my envolvement with the farm. I do pay EI premiums on all earnings, do the recent changes effect me? Will I be able to collect on my school earnings for the summer months?

By Lita on December 13th, 2009

@Lori
@arthur
@Raquel
@scott

If you are looking for financing to start a business or for your existing business, we recommend you use the “Government grants, loans and financing” search tool that is found on our site:
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/82/

If you need more assistance, contact our centres at 1-888-576-4444.

@Ibrahima

One good source of information to find a business partner is the Canadian Company Capabilities:
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ccc-rec.nsf/eng/home

If you need more assistance, contact our centres at 1-888-576-4444.

@Lita

Service Canada handles the “employee-side” of the Employment Insurance program.

You will find more information about EI here:
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/menu/eihome.shtml

By Canada Business on December 14th, 2009

I am currently on EI and in the process of setting up my own e-business. I will need an extention on my EI benefits to pursue all directions in completing this business model. Who would I speak to for EI extension?

thank you

Larry

By Larry on August 2nd, 2010

I was a grocery store owner. I sold the store.May I have EI benefit based on the new rules on EI program?

By Ricky on August 12th, 2010

Hi Larry,

Service Canada will be able to respond to any questions you may have on extension of your EI benefits. They can be contacted toll-free at: 1-800-206-7218 or TTY: 1-800-529-3742. You can also visit their website at http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/index.shtml

Good luck in setting up your e-business.

By Canada Business on August 19th, 2010

Hi Ricky,

Service Canada is able to respond to any questions you may have on the new rules for the EI program. They can be contacted toll-free at: 1‑800‑206‑7218 or TTY: 1‑800‑529‑3742 or you can also visit their website (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/index.shtml)

By Canada Business on August 24th, 2010