Canada / Retailers welcome freeze on employment insurance premium rates

Retail Council of Canada (RCC) fully supports the Government’s announcement today of a three-year freeze of Employment Insurance (EI) premium rates.

“The retail sector is Canada’s largest employer and as a result bears the bulk of the burden of paying into the EI system.  This freeze on premiums will mean more money for employers to invest in other important areas such as employment, training and infrastructure,” said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of RCC.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2011 retail trade contributed $76.9 billion to Canada’s GDP with employment of 2.6 million workers in Canada.  Retailers were bracing for the increases of up to 5% that were announced in the last federal budget.

“As a small business owner, I applaud Minister Flaherty for recognizing that even the smallest tax relief goes a long way to helping businesses grow and thrive, ” said Misti Mussatto, Owner of Toy Jungle in Vancouver, BC and Co-Chair of MySTORE – the independent retail division of RCC.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at

via Retail Council of Canada | Retailers Welcome Freeze on Employment Insurance Premium Rates.