🇬🇧🇺🇸 CA · Employment Law · Updated 2026-06-27
What is Employment Insurance (EI) in Canada?
Employment Insurance (EI) is a federal program providing temporary income replacement for workers who lose their job through no fault of their own, become sick, or take parental leave. Benefits are 55% of average insurable earnings, up to a maximum of $695/week for 2026.
Employment Insurance (EI) is a federal program administered by Service Canada (ESDC) under the Employment Insurance Act. Regular EI benefits provide temporary income replacement — currently 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum insurable amount of $65,700 per year ($1,263/week). The maximum weekly benefit is therefore approximately $695/week for 2026.
To qualify for regular EI (job loss through no fault of your own), you generally need between 420–700 hours of insurable employment in the past 52 weeks depending on your regional unemployment rate. You cannot receive EI if you were dismissed for just cause or if you voluntarily quit without just cause. The standard waiting period is 1 week before benefits begin.
Other types of EI: Sickness benefits (15 weeks at 55% for illness/injury); Maternity benefits (15 weeks); Parental benefits (standard: up to 40 weeks at 55%; extended: up to 69 weeks at 33%); Caregiver benefits (26–35 weeks depending on the situation). All require the same contribution history. EI premiums are deducted from insurable employment earnings.