EI (Employment Insurance)
Employment Insurance provides temporary income support to Canadian workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, are sick, are pregnant, or are caring for a newborn or adopted child. Employees pay premiums of 1.64% on insurable earnings up to $65,700 (2025). Employers pay 1.4 times the employee rate.
EI benefits are typically 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a weekly maximum. The number of weeks you can receive benefits depends on where you live (unemployment rate in your region) and how many insurable hours you worked. Regular benefits last 14 to 45 weeks.
Quebec workers pay reduced EI premiums because the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) covers maternity and parental benefits instead of EI. If you're self-employed, EI premiums are not required, but you can opt in to access EI special benefits (maternity, parental, sickness, and compassionate care).
Related Terms
CPP (Canada Pension Plan)
CPP is a contributory, earnings-related social insurance program that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.
QPIP (Quebec Parental Insurance Plan)
QPIP is Quebec's parental insurance plan providing maternity, paternity, parental, and adoption benefits to eligible Quebec workers.
T4 (Statement of Remuneration Paid)
The T4 slip is issued by employers to employees by the last day of February each year.