EI is designed to protect individuals who have lost their job for reasons outside their control. The EI program also provides temporary financial assistance to workers who are sick, pregnant, caring for a newborn or newly adopted child, or caring for a family member who has a serious medical condition.

失業金的設計是為了保障那些因無法控制的原因而失去工作的人員。該計劃同時也提供臨時經濟援助給那些因為生病、懷孕、照顧新生兒或新收養的孩子，和照顧患有嚴重疾病的家庭成員的人員。