Effective January 1, 2017, the Federal Government changed the Employment Insurance (EI) Act to reduce the waiting time for benefits to one week from two weeks. The shorter waiting period will apply to EI claims established on or after January 1, 2017. The reduced waiting time applies to all types of benefits including: regular, sickness, maternity/paternity, and compassionate care.

To learn more please read the Employment Insurance Change memo to Unions memorandum from Dina Traynor.