Digest of Benefit Entitlement Principles   Chapter 15 - Section 6

15.6.0 Earnings to be deducted from benefits

Fishers must report any earnings received, be it fishing or non-fishing income, while they are collecting benefits ^{Footnote 1} .

Earnings received from self-employment fishing are allocated equally to each day of the trip or, in the case of a cured catch, to the week of delivery. The amount to be deducted is the same amount as the amount determined under the insurability rules of the EI (Fishing) Regulations ^{Footnote 2} .

Earnings from employment other than fishing, including employment in fishing under a contract of service, are determined and allocated pursuant to EI Regulations ^{Footnote 3} .

As in the case of non-fishing claimants, any earnings received while in receipt of EI benefits must be declared and will be deducted from benefits at a rate of 50 cents of EI benefits for every dollar earned or received while on claim, up to a maximum of 90 percent of the weekly earnings used to establish their EI benefit rate. Any earnings above this threshold are deducted dollar for dollar from benefits [EI Act 19(2)].

Detailed information on the rules regarding the deduction of earnings while receiving benefits can be found in Digest Chapter 1.9.8 – Earnings while on claim and on the Government of Canada website.

When it is determined that earnings were earned but not declared during the benefit period, the provisions with respect to undeclared earnings ^{Footnote 4} apply. However, the period referred to in this provision of the Act is the period in respect of which earnings are allocated under fishing regulations. Therefore, undeclared earnings in self-employment fishing are allocated according to the regular provisions of the EI (Fishing) Regulations ^{Footnote 5} .