Ask a GoForth Expert

Carla Young

Home-based Business

Good timing! In November, 2009 the federal government tabled legislation called the Fairness for the Self-Employed Act, to provide employment insurance, maternity, parental/adoption, sickness and compassionate care benefits to self-employed Canadians on a voluntary basis.

This legislation allows self-employed persons to opt into the EI program as of January 2010, while benefits will start being paid in January 2011.

Residents of Quebec would continue to receive maternity and parental benefits through the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan and would be eligible to opt into the EI program for sickness and compassionate care benefits.

For more information visit the Service Canada - Employment Insurance website.

View all answers from Carla Young

---

About Carla Young