UPDATED EI Work-Sharing Program
No fixed amount
Insurance
Description:
UPDATED EI Work-Sharing Program helps employers and employees avoid layoffs by providing EI benefits to eligible employees who agree to reduce normal hours to share the work with other employees.
Comments on Funding:
Work-Sharing special measures to support businesses affected by the threat or potential realization of tariffs are effective March 7, 2025 to March 6, 2026.
Work-Sharing tariffs special measures flexibilities include:
a. maximum duration of Work-Sharing agreement up to 76 weeks
b. waiving the required cooling-off period between successive Work-Sharing agreements while special measures are in place
c. focusing recovery measures on supporting the business’ ability to maintain its viability related to the threat or potential realization of tariffs
March 6, 2026
Eligibility:
Applicants must:
1. Be employers experiencing a decline in business activity attributable to the threat or potential realization of tariffs:
a. Be operating in Canada for a minimum of 1 year
b. Have a minimum of 2 EI eligible employees who agree to a reduction in hours and to share any available work
2. Be businesses:
a. new to the Work-Sharing program
b. have an existing Work-Sharing agreement
c. are serving a mandatory cooling-off period
3. Work-Sharing agreements approved under tariffs special measures:
a. must have a minimum duration of 6 weeks, and
b. may be extended, to a maximum total of 76 weeks, if required
4. Expanded employers include:
a. businesses that have been in operation in Canada for 1 year
b. non-profit and charitable organizations experiencing a reduction in revenue levels as a direct or indirect result of the tariffs
c. cyclical or seasonal employers
d. e employers experiencing a decrease in work activity over the past six months of less than 10% and allowing utilization of Work-Sharing to exceed 60%
Application Steps:
Applicants must:
1. Complete:
a. Work-Sharing application form EMP5100, and
b. Work-Sharing unit Attachment A form EMP5101
2. submit their completed forms by email to their Regional Work-Sharing Unit.
Atlantic Provinces: esdc.tp-atl-ws-tp.edsc@servicecanada.gc.ca
Quebec: qc-dpmtds-lmsdpb-tp-ws-gd@servicecanada.gc.ca
Ontario: esdc.on.ws-tp.on.edsc@servicecanada.gc.ca
Western Canada and Territories: edsc.wt.ws-tp.esdc@servicecanada.gc.ca
Documentation Needed:
Applicants must submit:
1. Work-Sharing application form EMP5100, and
2. Work-Sharing unit Attachment A form EMP5101
Other Things to Note:
About the author
Maurice
