One of the most significant enhancements to the Employment Insurance program in a decade

Miramichi, New-Brunswick —Tilly O’neill gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, wants self-employed Canadians to know that they can register, on a voluntary basis, for Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits, which include maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits.

“Our government expanded the Employment Insurance program to the self‑employed because it was the fair and right thing to do,” said O’Neill Gordon. “We believe that self-employed Canadians should not have to choose between their family and their business responsibilities.”

With the passage of the Fairness for the Self‑Employed Act, self-employed Canadians can take advantage of the same special benefits that are available to salaried employees under the EI program.

As of January 31, 2010, self-employed Canadians have been able to register for the Employment Insurance program. Those who choose to take advantage of these special benefits will be required to register at least one year prior to claiming them. However, as a transitional measure, those who register by April 1, 2010, will be able to make a claim as early as January 1, 2011.

Self-employed residents of Quebec will continue to receive maternity and parental benefits through the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan provided by their provincial government. By registering for EI, self-employed Quebecers will be able to take advantage of sickness and compassionate care benefits.

This measure is part of the Government’s commitment to make responsive and responsible choices to support Canadians through the Employment Insurance program.

Other temporary measures the Government has undertaken to help those hardest hit by the economic downturn through Canada’s Economic Action Plan include providing longer EI benefits, more efficient service and support for training, and protecting jobs through Work-Sharing agreements. The Government has also frozen EI premiums for 2010 at the same rate as 2009.

For more information, visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca/self_employed_workers.