. General Legislative Changes EBN Archives: Show me articles about Select a Category Wellness Report Administrative Update Group Benefits Bulletins Front Runner The Script e Benefit News RAMQ Technology group benefit plans - general plan administration drug care dental care life insurance health care disability management health and wellness programs Manulife Financial news Industry standards and guidelines general legislative changes fee schedules taxation rules Employment Insurance premium rates for 2009 …maximum insurable earnings increase 2009 Update Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) has announced the EI premium rates for 2009. Employees will continue to pay $1.73 per $100 of insurable earnings (unchanged from 2008). Employers will continue to pay $2.422 per $100 of insurable earnings (unchanged from 2008). The annual Maximum Insurable Earnings (MIE) for 2009 will rise from $41,100 to $42,300. In turn, the maximum benefit payable increases from $435 to $447 per week. This is the third year in a row that the MIE has increased. The change to the maximum weekly EI benefit means an increase in coverage provided under Weekly Indemnity (WI) plans that are linked to the EI maximum benefit. *The reduced premium amount applicable to an employer may differ from the numbers shown here, depending on plan design or type of arrangement (for example, sick leave, salary continuation). Plan sponsors can obtain this information through the EI Premium Reduction Program. Visit the EI website http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/home.shtml or contact your local EI office. Quebec The employee and employer EI rates in Quebec are lower than the rest of Canada because the province of Quebec began offering its own parental benefits in January 2006. Employees will pay $1.38 per $100 of insurable earnings (reduced from $1.39 in 2008) Employers will pay $1.932 per $100 of insurable earnings (reduced from $1.946 in 2008). Parental benefits in Quebec The Quebec Parental Insurance Plan provides richer benefits than the comparable EI benefits and has separate, additional premiums. The maximum amount of insurable earnings for 2009 is $62,000.00 For more information, visit http://www.revenu.gouv.qc.ca/eng/ministere/ and look for the link to "Quebec parental insurance plan".