What happened
The Canada Employment Insurance Commission has released the 2027 Employment Insurance (EI) premium rate, along with the actuarial report and its summary.
The 2027 rate is set at $1.64 per $100 of insurable earnings for employees and $2.30 for employers, who pay 1.4 times the employee rate. The government states this rate is equal to the 2025 rate.
The Commission also announced that maximum insurable earnings for 2027 will increase to $70,800 from $68,900 in 2026. This figure is indexed annually and is the maximum annual income threshold on which workers and employers pay EI premiums.
As a result, the maximum annual EI contribution for a worker will increase by $38.05 to $1,161.12, and for employers by $53.27 to $1,625.57 per employee.
For residents of Quebec covered under the Québec Parental Insurance Plan, the 2027 rate is $1.29 per $100 of insurable earnings, with employers paying $1.81. The maximum annual contribution for a Quebec worker will increase by $17.62 to $913.32, and for employers by $24.67 to $1,278.65 per employee. The government explains that EI premium rates differ for Quebec residents because the province administers its own parental insurance plan, financed by Quebec workers and their employers.
In addition, the Premium Reduction Program will provide roughly $1.7 billion in premium reductions in 2027 to registered employers and their employees, shared seven twelfths and five twelfths respectively. The government states this recognizes savings generated to the EI program by employer registered short-term wage-loss plans.
Official text
> The rate for 2027 is set at $1.64 per $100 of insurable earnings for employees and $2.30 for employers, who pay 1.4 times the employee rate. This rate will come into effect on January 1, 2027, and is equal to the 2025 rate.
Who is affected
All employees and self-employed individuals with wage income in Canada, as well as employers paying EI premiums. Quebec residents are subject to different rates because the province administers its own parental insurance plan.
Effective date
The new rate takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Send this page