Tweed - EI changes “Fair and right thing to do”

BRANDON – November 4, 2009 - Merv Tweed, MP for Brandon-Souris, is pleased with the introduction of a Bill that will expand benefits through Employment Insurance (EI) Act to cover self-employed Canadians.

The “Fairness for the Self-Employed Act” will extend EI maternity and parental benefits, sickness benefits, and compassionate care benefits to those Canadians who operate their own business.

“Self-employed Canadians will now have the peace of mind knowing they can access special benefits to cope with major life events such as the birth of a child, an illness, or caring for a gravely ill family member,” said Tweed.

Under the proposed legislation, self-employed Canadians would be required to opt into the program at least one year prior to claiming benefits. With a program start date of January 2010, claims could be made as early as January 1, 2011.

“Extending these benefits to the 2.6 million self-employed Canadians is the fair and right thing to do,” noted Tweed.  “This represents one of the most significant enhancements to the EI program in decades.”