Unemployment Insurance Benefits are administered by Human Resource and Development Canada. Employees who are laid off will collect benefits through HRDC should they choose to accept the lay-off.

• HRDC Home Page

There are two ways you can apply for benefits.  Online or through your local HRDC office.

• APPLY On-line

There are local HRDC offices in most cities.  Below is a link to find the one nearest where you live:

• Local Offices Listing

What you will need to do:

HRDC will require your ROE (Record of Employment) to determine your work history and benefit entitlements.  CP will provide you with this through the mail, however you should be aware that CP does not usually get this to you in a timely fashion.  It takes them 4-6 weeks even though HRDC guidelines suggest it should be given to you within 5 days.

To Contact CP to determine the status of your ROE, call the CMC line at 1-877-279-0809.  Log-in and press 6, then press 1 for Staff Records.

What you can do in the interim, is ensure that you bring 26 weeks worth of pay-stubs to the local office near you.  This will allow them to begin processing your claim without the ROE.  Since it takes roughly 4-6 weeks for you to get your first payment from HRDC, you should try and get your claim started immediately.

For all general Inquiries, call either their local number or their toll-free number:

For Employment Insurance Information in English: 1-800-206-7218

If you do not get the answers you need also feel free to contact your legislative rep.