Enhancements to Employment Insurance (EI)

Employment Insurance (EI) frequently asked questions

1. What are the EI pilot projects that have been proposed?
2. What are the other enhancements?
3. When will the pilots start?
4. Where will these pilots be applicable?
5. Why are the pilots applicable only to these EI economic regions?
6. How will the new EI calculation for the highest 14 weeks affect EI benefits?
7. How will I know what the "best 14 weeks" are?

What are the EI pilot projects that have been proposed?

The 3 pilot projects in 23 participating EI regions will test the labour market impact of:

1. calculating EI benefits based on the "best 14 weeks" of earnings over the 52 weeks preceding a claim for benefits.This will mean that for individuals with sporadic work patterns, EI benefit rates will be more reflective of their full-time work patterns;
2. enabling individuals new to the labour market or returning after an extended absence to access EI benefits after 840 hours of work — rather than 910 — when linked with EI employment programs;
3. increasing the working-while-on-claim threshold to allow individuals to earn the greater of $75 or 40 % of weekly benefits in an effort to encourage people to take work without a reduction in their benefits.

top

What are the other enhancements?

The pilot project introduced last year providing workers with 5 additional weeks of EI regular benefits in regions of high unemployment — 10 % or higher — will be continued for a 2^nd year, until June 2006. 

The EI "transitional boundaries" provisions in the EI economic regions of Madawaska-Charlotte, New Brunswick, and Lower St. Lawrence/North Shore, Quebec will be extended an additional year to October 2006. Meanwhile, a review of the EI economic boundaries with be conducted during this period.

top

When will the pilots start?

It is proposed that the 1^st  pilot on the "Best 14 weeks" begins on October 30, 2005.

The other 2 pilots will likely begin in late fall. Time is required to adjust the EI regulations, have the regulations approved, to adjust our systems, as well as inform and train staff and employers on how these changes will work.

top

Where will these pilots be applicable?

Subject to regulatory approval, the following areas are the proposed 23 participating EI economic regions — listed alphabetically. Select the region where you live to see if your municipality is included:

1. Central Quebec
2. Chicoutimi—Jonquière
3. Eastern Nova Scotia
4. Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine
5. Lower Saint Lawrence and North Shore
6. Madawaska—Charlotte
7. Newfoundland—Labrador
8. Northern Alberta
9. Northern British Columbia
10. Northern Manitoba
11. Northern Ontario
12. Northern Saskatchewan
13. Northwest Territories
14. North Western Quebec
15. Nunavut
16. Prince Edward Island
17. Restigouche—Albert
18. St-John’s
19. Southern Coastal British Columbia
20. Sudbury
21. Trois-Rivières
22. Western Nova Scotia
23. Yukon

top

Why are the pilots applicable only to these EI economic regions?

EI pilot projects have traditionally been targeted to EI economic regions of higher unemployment since this provides valuable information on the effect of program changes in labour markets where EI plays a particularly important role. Due to the targeted nature of pilot projects, some individuals will be excluded from participation while the test is underway. However, official confirmation of the regions included will be carried out through the regulatory process.

How will the new EI calculation for the highest 14 weeks affect EI benefits?

This proposed new way of calculation will consider the 14 highest or best weeks of earnings in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last claim, whichever is shorter. Usually when calculating benefits, we look at the total earnings in the last 26 continuous weeks regardless of whether they are high or low earning weeks. The new pilot could increase the benefit rate for individuals who have uneven or sporadic work patterns by calculating the rate using the highest 14 weeks.

The proposed new way of calculating will mean that the benefit rate will not be lowered because we will only look at the highest 14 weeks of earnings.

How will I know what the "best 14 weeks" are?

The information will be obtained from:

• Your Record of Employment (ROE); and/or
• Your Payslips if the ROE does not list the last 52 weeks; or
• Your declaration supported by satisfactory information which will be determined in due course.