Social Insurance Number - SIN

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits.

Eligibility Criteria

If you are a Canadian citizen, a newcomer to Canada or a temporary resident, you need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada or to receive benefits and services from government programs.

Eligible Activities

This number is used for deductions on payroll such as Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan, income tax, etc.

Summary

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is delivered by Service Canada.

Your employees’ Social Insurance Number (SIN) is confidential and should only be used for income-related information. As an employer you play a leading role in protecting your employees’ personal information and preventing fraudulent activities.

In Canada, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act sets out ground rules about how private sector organizations may collect, use or disclose personal information.

As an employer, you must:

1. Request the Social Insurance Number (SIN) card of new employees within three days of their starting employment.
2. Verify and record the expiry date of all SIN cards beginning with a 9.
3. Protect your employees’ personnel records, especially SINs.
4. If you suspect that a SIN is being used fraudulently, inform Service Canada.

Quebec Contact(s):
Service Canada Centres
For a complete list of all Service Canada Centres please visit the Web site or check the government listings in your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/qc.shtml

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National Contact(s):
Service Canada Centres
  
Toll-free (information): 1-800-277-9914