Can self-employed people in Ontario collect EI maternity or parental benefits?

Self-employed Canadians can access Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits — including maternity, parental, sickness, and compassionate care benefits — but only if they voluntarily register for the EI self-employed program with Service Canada. EI is a federal program administered nationally, so the rules apply across all provinces.

To be eligible, you must register for the program and then wait at least 12 months before making a claim. You pay EI premiums on your self-employment income, similar to what an employee would pay, but without the employer top-up. Premium rates and the annual insurable earnings maximum are set federally.

When you make a claim, the benefit is based on your earnings in the qualifying period and is subject to the same benefit rates as employment EI claims. Registration is voluntary, and some self-employed people choose not to participate if they don't expect to need EI benefits. If you're planning a family or anticipate a need for benefits, registering early — well before 12 months in advance — is important.