You can now collect maternity leave (EI) if you are self employed! You can now collect maternity leave (EI) if you are self employed! You can now collect maternity leave (EI) if you are self employed! I had to repeat it again sorry… I’m self employed! 
Employment Insurance (EI) for the self-employed
At present, self-employed people do not pay EI premiums, and do not qualify to receive EI benefits. However, Bill C-56, the Fairness for the Self-Employed Act, was introduced in the House of Commons and passed first reading on November 3, 2009. This proposed legislation would allow self-employed persons to pay EI premiums on a voluntary basis, in order to qualify for EI special benefits. EI special benefits include maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits.
Under the proposed legislation, prior to claiming benefits, self-employed Canadians:
- would be required to opt into the program at least one year prior to claiming benefits
- would need to have earned a minimum of $6,000 in self-employed earnings (net income from self-employment) over the preceding calendar year
- could opt out of the EI program at the end of any tax year, as long as they have never claimed benefits.
- would have to contribute on self-employed earnings for as long as they are self-employed, if they have claimed benefits.
- would pay the same EI premium rate as salaried employees.
- would not have to pay the employer portion of premiums.
- would not have access to EI regular benefits.
The proposed program has a start date of January 2010, so claims could be made as early as January 2011.
Self-employed Québec residents would still receive maternity and parental benefits through the Québec Parental Insurance Program (QPIP) provided through the Québec government. They would also be eligible to take advantage of the EI sickness and compassionate care benefits being offered by the Government of Canada. If they opt into this program, their premium rates would be the same as the rates for employees in Québec.
Government information:
Bill C-56, Fairness for the Self-Employed Act