Program could cost $147 million but would be self-financed by EI premiums
Self-employed parents will be able to access parental benefits through employment insurance (EI) if the Conservatives win the election on Oct. 14, promises Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Currently, more than 2.6 million Canadians, one-third of whom are women, work for themselves but they don't contribute to EI and therefore don't qualify for parental benefits (55 per cent of salary for up to one year for most workers).
The Conservatives' proposed program would be voluntary, with self-employed Canadians being able to opt in to pay premiums, said Harper. To be eligible, they would have to start paying premiums at least six months before making a claim, he said.
Based on Quebec's mandatory system, where the self employed already collect benefits, the Conservatives estimate it will cost about $147 million to extend benefits to entrepreneurs in the rest of Canada. This cost would be largely self-financed by EI premiums paid by the self employed, said Harper.
The program would cover biological parents for up to 12 months and adoptive parents for up to nine months, which is the same as for those who currently qualify for benefits.
Currently, more than 2.6 million Canadians, one-third of whom are women, work for themselves but they don't contribute to EI and therefore don't qualify for parental benefits (55 per cent of salary for up to one year for most workers).
The Conservatives' proposed program would be voluntary, with self-employed Canadians being able to opt in to pay premiums, said Harper. To be eligible, they would have to start paying premiums at least six months before making a claim, he said.
Based on Quebec's mandatory system, where the self employed already collect benefits, the Conservatives estimate it will cost about $147 million to extend benefits to entrepreneurs in the rest of Canada. This cost would be largely self-financed by EI premiums paid by the self employed, said Harper.
The program would cover biological parents for up to 12 months and adoptive parents for up to nine months, which is the same as for those who currently qualify for benefits.
