Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

EI for the Self Employed

From CBC.ca...."The federal government on Tuesday will introduce legislation that would allow the self-employed to opt into the employment insurance plan and collect parental leave benefits.A senior government official told CBC news that once the legislation is passed, anyone wanting to opt in would have to pay regular EI premiums for a year before taking a leave.Once a self-employed person has accessed EI, they would have to continue paying premiums for as long as they are self-employed."
Would impact will this have on Agriculture in Canada if any?

Views: 95

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joann on November 3, 2009 at 6:03am
"That means everyone from small business owners to farmers can now access maternity leave, parental and adoptive benefits, and sickness and compassionate care benefits for the first time, though they will not get EI's regular weekly income replacement should they become unemployed."
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/720351---special-ei-benefit...

Smoke and mirrors.

People can start to pay the premiums but can't access it for a year with limitations.

I can't see it being a huge benefit for farm families considering the impact of farm income splitting.
Permalink Reply by Wayne Black on November 3, 2009 at 7:50am
It "looks" great but as a farmer and insurance programs - we tend to carry some of the risk ourselves. As someone who has already gone through the process of having children with no Mat leave or benefits, and watching friends enjoy the privilege, I would have enjoyed having it but after reading some of the details - question it.
For example - on the surface going back 7 years, I would sign up immediately. After getting married, having 3 children (and kept working since I live in my workplace), I would see about opting out after having children. BUT....
in an email just received on this issue: "You can opt out only if you have never claimed a benefit - if any benefit is claimed you need to pay premium as long as you remain self-employed "
So some farmers continue until they... you know when. Paying premiums for 50 years for a 16 week stint for children? Also - the premium will have to be adjusted in order to compensate for the lack of "Income Loss" compensation.
I can not see many farmers signing up for this program once they read the details. Most likely one spouse may receive some benefits through their off-farm workplace. Also - once some of these farms are set up as a corporate operation - it may not be any different than working for Volvo than working for "Blackmega Dairy" owned by your parents.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agriculture Minister’s Meeting in Halifax

Pulse Canada joined agricultural leaders, industry stakeholders, parliamentarians, and federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers in Halifax for the meetings around the 2026 Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Agriculture Ministers Meeting, which included a Policy Summit hosted by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. This year's Summit, themed "Building Canada's Agricultural Growth Engine: Policy Priorities for the Next Policy Framework," served as a national forum for dialogue on the policy measures needed to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability, and long-term resilience of Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. Discussions centred on innovation, productivity, value-added agriculture, economic growth, and the policy tools required to keep Canadian farmers globally competitive. A recurring theme was ensuring the next policy framework delivers real, measurable outcomes for producers while supporting food security goals. Pulse Canada also participated in an FPT R

Statement On The Canada-uae Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement And Canada-ecuador Free Trade Agreement

Pulse Canada today welcomed the conclusion of Canada-UAE CEPA negotiations and the signing of the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement. Both are steps toward opening more doors for Canadian pulse crops around the world. “Pulse Canada welcomes two pieces of good news for our industry this week with the conclusion of the Canada-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations and the signing of the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement (FTA),” said Pulse Canada Chair Shane Strydhorst. “Every new trade agreement is a signal to our growers and processors that Canada is serious about finding new homes for what we grow." The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a major customer for Canada’s pulse industry. In 2025, Canadian growers and exporters shipped $268.6 million worth of pulses to the UAE — over 300,000 tonnes. Lentils made up the bulk of that, at $225.7 million, followed by peas, chickpeas and kidney beans. A full economic partnership with preferential access to the UAE sh

Canadian Beef Research & Knowledge Mobilization Strategy

The Five-Year Canadian Beef Research and Knowledge Mobilization Strategy strengthens Canada’s position as a global leader in sustainable beef production by aligning national priorities in research, innovation and knowledge mobilization to maximize sector-wide impact. Through a highly collaborative process, the Beef Cattle Research Council worked with producers, researchers, extension agents and a broad range of industry stakeholders to revise and update the Five-Year Strategy. Built upon previous iterations, the Strategy reflects both the progress achieved to date and the emerging challenges facing the sector. It recognizes that long-term industry success depends on continual improvements. The Strategy identifies key research and knowledge mobilization priorities to maximize benefits obtained from investments in beef research and extension. It directly supports the industry’s 10-year goals through targeted outcomes that enhance productivity, sustainability and resilience. Achieving t

Canada’s Food Security Strategy Overlooks Those Helping Farmers Use More Tech | OPINION

Canada’s new food security strategy promises billions of dollars for a more affordable and resilient food system. But investments in technology, infrastructure and production will only work if farmers have the knowledge and support to put them into practice. 

Ontario farmers eligible for new $12 million stewardship funding program

Ontario farmers will have access to an additional $12 million in funding aimed at improving efficiency, reducing operating costs and strengthening the long-term sustainability of their operations.

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service