Overview Of Employment Insurance in Canada: Financial assistance is available through various programs : 

Income Benefits: Individuals who lose their Jobs through no fault of their own have regular benefits provided by Employment Insurance. EI benefits to be applied as soon as one stops working. One can lose benefits if found delay in filing claims for more than four weeks from the last you day of work.

Every individual have paid into the EI program and have worked for at least 420 – 700 hours in the last one year are eligible to claim for EI benefits.

Individual is not eligible for EI regular benefits if one quits the job without valid reason or is been fired for a good reason and have not worked for certain period of time.

Family Benefits: EI maternity benefits are offered to biological mothers, including surrogate mothers, who cannot work because they are pregnant or have recently given birth. EI parental benefits are offered to parents who are caring for a newborn or newly adopted child or children.

Sickness Benefits : With a medical certificate confirming you are sick and hurt.

Compassionate care benefits are Employment Insurance (EI) benefits paid to people who have to be away from work temporarily to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill and who has a significant risk of death. A maximum of 26 weeks of compassionate care benefits may be paid to eligible people

If you are a parent who has to be away from work to provide care or support to your critically ill or injured child, you could be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits for Parents of Critically Ill Children (PCIC).

Source : Canada Government Official website