Self-Employed Deserve EI Legislation, says MP Allen

December 21, 2009

TOBIQUE-MACTAQUAC – Improving fairness for the self-employed is important to Tobique-Mactaquac Member of Parliament Mike Allen. That’s why he is pleased to see that Bill C-56 received Royal Assent last week.

The Fairness to the Self-Employed Act extends Employment Insurance (EI) maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits, collectively referred to as special benefits, to the self employed on a voluntary basis. Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley introduced the legislation this fall, and it quickly made its way through the Parliamentary process.

“I am so thrilled that our government is providing these Canadians with greater peace of mind with respect to their future financial security,” Mr. Allen commented.  “The self employed have previously had little or no income protection to cope with major life events such as giving birth, caring for a newborn or newly adopted child, being sick or injured, or caring for a gravely ill family member.”

“In Tobique-Mactaquac, there are many self-employed men and women,” said the Atlantic Conservative Caucus Chair. “For business owners, real estate agents, farmers, truck drivers and others, this Act is welcome news, and it doesn’t force anyone to participate if they choose not to.”

The new measure responds to the Government’s 2008 pledge to help provide improved economic security and support for all those who are self-employed.  The self-employed who choose to take advantage of the special benefits will be required to opt into the program at least one year prior to claiming benefits.  Subject to final approvals of regulations, they will be able to voluntarily opt into the EI program effective January 31, 2010, and, as a transitional measure, will be able to collect benefits as early as January 1, 2011, if they have registered on or before April 1, 2010.  Special benefits for self-employed individuals will mirror those currently available to salaried employees under the EI program.

“Thanks to this new initiative, self-employed Canadians will no longer have to choose between their family and their business responsibilities,” said Minister Finley.  “It is good family policy, and it represents one of the most significant enhancements to the EI program in the last decade.”

This measure demonstrates that the Government continues to make responsive and responsible choices to support Canadians through the EI program.

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

The House of Commons recently passed legislation to extend EI regular benefits for unemployed long-tenured workers, who are individuals that have paid EI premiums for years and made limited use of the program, and who now need additional support while they look for jobs in a recovering economy.