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Barry's
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Devolin Column
January 21, 2010
Fairness for the Self Employed
Last month, our government was pleased to announce that the Fairness for the Self-Employed Act received Royal Assent. This legislation 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.
These new measures mean that self-employed Canadians will not have to choose between their family and their business responsibilities. We introduced this legislation because we believe that providing access to these benefits is the fair and right thing to do. It is good family policy, and it represents one of the most significant enhancements to the EI program in the last decade.
Self-employed Canadians who choose to take advantage of EI special benefits will be required to opt into the EI program at least one year prior to claiming benefits, and will be responsible for making premium payments for the tax year in which they apply to the program. 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 provided to self-employed individuals will mirror those currently available to salaried employees under the EI program.
This new measure is just the latest in a series of improvements the Government has already made to ensure that the EI program remains fair.
Prior to this, the self-employed 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. Through this measure, we are now providing self-employed Canadians with greater peace of mind with respect to their future financial security.
I am pleased that Bill C-50 has also received Royal Assent. Through this measure, we are providing, on a temporary basis, additional EI regular benefits to long-tenured workers. Long-tenured workers are individuals who 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.
For more information, visit the following Web site: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/self_employed_workers.shtml
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