By Paul Daniel l June 1, 2026
TORONTO, CANADA — Canada's Employment Insurance (EI) system is no longer meeting the needs of the country's modern workforce, leaving many workers vulnerable to financial hardship and increasing reliance on food banks, according to a new report released by Food Banks Canada.
The organization's 2026 Poverty Report Cards argue that the federal income-support program was designed for a labour market that has changed dramatically over the past several decades. As more Canadians take on part-time, temporary, contract, and gig-economy jobs, many find themselves excluded from EI benefits despite maintaining steady employment.
Food Banks Canada said the labour market has shifted significantly away from traditional full-time jobs with a single employer, yet eligibility rules for EI have not kept pace with these changes. The report contends that workers with irregular schedules, multiple employers, or contract-based employment often struggle to accumulate the insurable hours needed to qualify for benefits.
Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Executive Officer of Food Banks Canada, described the current EI framework as one of the greatest threats to Canada's economic resilience at a time when many households continue to face high living costs and employment uncertainty. According to the report, the inability of many workers to access EI leaves them exposed to income disruptions and increases the likelihood of food insecurity.
Employment Insurance is intended to provide temporary financial assistance to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The program currently pays approximately 55 per cent of a claimant’s average insurable earnings, up to a maximum weekly benefit amount established by the federal government. However, Food Banks Canada argues that growing numbers of workers are unable to access the support despite contributing to the labour force.
The report comes amid growing concerns over food insecurity across the country. Food banks have reported increasing demand from working Canadians, including individuals with full-time jobs who nevertheless struggle to cover housing, transportation, and grocery expenses. The organization warned that without meaningful reforms to social supports and employment benefits, poverty and food insecurity could continue to worsen.
Food Banks Canada's broader poverty assessment noted some recent federal measures aimed at supporting vulnerable households, including enhancements to social benefits and affordability programs. However, the organization said those improvements are insufficient to address structural challenges facing workers whose employment arrangements fall outside traditional full-time work models.
The findings have renewed calls for the federal government to modernize Employment Insurance by adapting eligibility rules to reflect today's labour market. Advocates argue that reforms would help ensure that workers in the gig economy, contract positions, and other non-traditional forms of employment have access to financial support during periods of unemployment.
As policymakers continue to debate solutions to rising affordability pressures, the report warns that failure to update EI could leave millions of Canadians increasingly dependent on charitable assistance at a time when food banks themselves are facing unprecedented demand.
Source: CBC News report on Food Banks Canada's 2026 Poverty Report Cards and Employment Insurance concerns.