You can get Employment Insurance (EI) benefits if you are fired, but it depends on the reason for your termination. Specifically:
- If you are fired without cause (meaning you were let go through no fault of your own, such as due to company restructuring or downsizing), you are generally eligible for EI benefits as long as you meet other requirements like having enough insurable hours and actively seeking work.
- However, if you were fired "for cause," which involves serious misconduct such as willful wrongdoing, harassment, or neglect of duties, you typically will not qualify for EI benefits.
- Misconduct is understood as deliberate wrong actions, not simply poor job performance.
- Your Record of Employment (ROE) from your employer will indicate whether the termination was for cause or without cause, and this record affects your eligibility.
- Even if fired for cause, you can apply for EI, and Service Canada will investigate the validity of the employer’s classification. If denied, you can request reconsideration.
- If you quit voluntarily without a valid reason, you are not eligible for EI unless you had just cause to quit.
In summary, being fired does not automatically disqualify you from EI, but losing your job through no fault of your own is key to eligibility. Serious misconduct or being fired for cause generally disqualifies you from EI benefits.
