Three new Employment Insurance (EI) pilot projects were announced on February 23, 2005 following the Government of Canada Budget. These pilot projects are aimed at improving the EI Program for claimants residing in 23 EI economic regions. Two of these pilots will likely be implemented in late fall of 2005.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has proposed that one of the pilot projects, known as the Best 14 Weeks, be implemented on October 30, 2005. This three-year pilot targets 23 EI regions and affects employers with workers who live in these regions. EI benefit rates will be calculated based on the highest 14 weeks of insurable earnings over the last 52 weeks. The new benefit rate calculation creates the need for 53 weeks - 52 plus one week extra - of payroll information, compared with the current 27 weeks of information requested on the Record of Employment (ROE).

Employers with workers who live in these economic regions will be asked to provide 53 weeks of payroll information to support the calculation of EI claims. HRSDC will:

• change the electronic transmission of ROE information (ROE Web) to the 53 weeks format
  
  
• provide detailed procedures on filling out the paper and laser ROE
  
  
• provide software vendors with systems specifications to incorporate changes to their software packages
  
  
• develop internal administrative procedures to minimize calls to employers, and
  
  
• support employers to sign up for ROE Web to provide the payroll information.

The ROE paper and ROE Laser versions will be maintained. Employers using laser and/or paper will be asked to provide payroll information by pay period for the previous 53 weeks.

The new ROE Web version will be available in the fall of 2005. HRSDC has also worked with some of the largest Payroll Service Providers to develop an efficient method of transmitting bulk ROEs through a system known as Secure Automated Transfer (SAT) which is designed with the 53-week format in place.

A series of Frequently Asked Questions is available.

...back to 3 November 2005


More information:
Best 14 weeks pilot project and its impact on the Record of Employment (ROE)
Employment Insurance (EI) frequently asked questions for Employers and Payroll Professionals

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