New EI Measures for the Self Employed

Dear Clients & Colleagues:

We have just received this message from our federal partner, Canada Business. While we were aware of the positive changes in the EI Act for self-employed persons, we were not aware of the wait periods/deadlines. We want to bring the deadlines to your attention.

If you believe that you may be in a situation where EI benefits for maternity, parental, sickness or compassionate care situations would be valuable to you, please investigate further via the links below, become informed about the costs involved and be aware of the deadlines to apply.

Cheers
CB


Information on the new EI Measure for Fairness for the Self Employed Act (Bill C-56)

[From: Service Canada - the Government of Canada's one-stop service delivery network.]

This Act provides access for self-employed people to all EI special benefits: maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care. Agreements must be in place for one year before there is any eligibility to benefits. However, as a transitional measure for the first year, Self Employed persons who register on or before April 1, 2010 may be eligible to file for benefits as early as January 1st, 2011. If they register after April 1, 2010, they will have to wait 12 months to access any benefits.
The deadline of April 1, 2010 is fast approaching and we would like to increase awareness of this benefit and would request that you forward this email to as many of your membership who would have interest in this information.
Information on registering for the program as well as more details are available on our website by accessing the link below.
Here is a link to the program.: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/self_employed_workers.shtml
as well as a link to FAQs: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/faq_self_employed_workers.shtml

Ontario minimum wage increases March 31

Ontario will raise its minimum wage to $10.25 on March 31, the province announced on Friday. Annual increases to the minimum wage were initiated in 2003, rising from $6.85 in 2004 to $9.50 in 2009. Last year business leaders representing small enterprises urged Premier Dalton McGuinty to reconsider scheduled increases in the minimum wage. They said the increases could result in reduced hiring. The major industries employing minimum wage earners are: accommodation and food, retail trade, and agriculture.

http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Ontario+minimum+wage+rise+March/2645921/story.html