EI (Employment Insurance)
Employment Insurance provides temporary income support to Canadian workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, are sick, are pregnant, or are caring for a newborn or adopted child. Employees pay premiums of 1.63% on insurable earnings up to $68,900 (2026) — down from 1.64% on $65,700 in 2025, since the rate and ceiling move independently each year. Employers pay 1.4 times the employee rate.
EI benefits are typically 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a weekly maximum. The number of weeks you can receive benefits depends on where you live (unemployment rate in your region) and how many insurable hours you worked. Regular benefits last 14 to 45 weeks.
Quebec workers pay reduced EI premiums because the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) covers maternity and parental benefits instead of EI. If you're self-employed, EI premiums are not required, but you can opt in to access EI special benefits (maternity, parental, sickness, and compassionate care).
How it works
As an employee, you pay EI premiums of 1.63% on your insurable earnings, up to an annual maximum, and your employer pays 1.4 times whatever you contribute. Both the premium rate and the earnings ceiling are set independently each year, so a rate cut and a higher ceiling can both happen in the same year, or move in opposite directions.
If you lose your job through no fault of your own, or need income support for illness, pregnancy, or caring for a new child, EI typically replaces 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a weekly maximum. How many weeks you can collect depends on the unemployment rate in your region and how many insurable hours you worked before applying.
Quebec workers pay reduced EI premiums because the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan covers maternity and parental benefits instead of EI, avoiding overlap between the two programs. Self-employed Canadians outside Quebec aren't required to pay EI premiums, but can opt in specifically to access EI special benefits like maternity, parental, sickness, and compassionate care leave.
Example: EI premiums at the maximum insurable earnings
If your insurable earnings reach the annual maximum of $68,900, your EI premium for the year is 1.63% of that amount, which works out to about $1,123 withheld from your pay over the year.
Your employer then pays 1.4 times that amount on your behalf, which comes to roughly $1,572 in employer-paid premiums for the same year, on top of what was deducted from your paycheque.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Quebec workers pay lower EI premiums?
Because the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan already covers maternity and parental benefits for Quebec workers, EI premiums there are reduced to avoid double-covering the same type of leave.
Can self-employed people get EI benefits?
They aren't required to pay premiums, but they can voluntarily opt in to access EI special benefits such as maternity, parental, sickness, and compassionate care leave.
How long can I collect EI regular benefits?
Regular benefits typically last between 14 and 45 weeks, with the exact length depending on the unemployment rate in your region and how many insurable hours you had before applying.
Related Terms
CPP (Canada Pension Plan)
CPP is a contributory, earnings-related social insurance program that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.
QPIP (Quebec Parental Insurance Plan)
QPIP is Quebec's parental insurance plan providing maternity, paternity, parental, and adoption benefits to eligible Quebec workers.
T4 (Statement of Remuneration Paid)
The T4 slip is issued by employers to employees by the last day of February each year.