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What's new
New Employment Insurance Program Offerings
Employment Insurance Special Benefits for Self-Employed People
Beginning in January 2011, self-employed Canadians will be able to access Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits. EI special benefits are maternity, parental, sickness, and compassionate care benefits.
Extension of EI Regular Benefits for Long-Tenured Workers
EI eligible long-tenured workers may be eligible for additional benefits if they have contributed to the Employment Insurance (EI) program for a significant period of time and have previously made limited use of EI regular benefits.
As part of its Economic Action Plan, the government of Canada announced two temporary Career Transition Assistance initiatives to help long-tenured workers renew or upgrade their skills while receiving regular EI benefits.
In addition, eligible laid-off workers who received payments on termination of employment will not have to wait as long before they can receive EI benefits. This only applies if they use some of these payments to pay for eligible training.
