Your hearing at the General Division – Employment Insurance (EI)

People at your hearing

• A General Division member (the decision-maker for your appeal)
• You
• Your representative (if you have one)
• A representative from the Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC) may attend
• Other parties to the appeal and their representative (if any)

Other people you might want there. If you do, let us know.

• Witnesses: They have information to add to your file
• Interpreter: We’ll provide you one if you don't speak English or French
• Support person: They’re there to support you throughout the hearing

Types of hearing

Videoconference (from your personal device)

• Use your device (smartphone, tablet, or computer)
• Make sure your device is fully charged and find a quiet space
• We’ll give you the link to join
• Connect 10 minutes before your hearing
• The member will be on screen at the scheduled time

Teleconference

• Make sure your device is fully charged and find a quiet space
• We’ll give you the number to call
• Call the number 10 minutes before your hearing
• Listen to the prompts
  • Enter the teleconference ID and security code
• Wait on the line until the member speaks

Videoconference (at a Service Canada Centre)

• Go to the Service Canada Centre on your Notice of Hearing
• Get there 30 minutes early
• Service Canada staff will:
  • show you to the right room
  • explain the videoconference
• The member will be on screen at the scheduled time

In person

• Go to the Service Canada Centre on your Notice of Hearing
• Get there 30 minutes early
• Service Canada staff will show you to the right room

In writing

• The member will make their decision based on the written arguments and supporting documents that the parties (including you) send in
• You’ll communicate with the member through your written arguments

Accommodations

We’re here to help. Let us know as soon as possible if you need an accommodation for your hearing. Some examples are:

• an interpreter, if you don’t speak English or French
• breaks during your hearing
• asking participants to speak loudly or slowly
• dimmed lighting at your hearing
• more time to answer spoken questions

Structure

• The member will guide you through the hearing
• Hearings are a conversation between a member and the parties
• The member will tell you what to call them. We don't use the title "Your Honour"
• Unless you say otherwise, we’ll refer to you as "Mr.” or "Ms.”

Length and breaks

• We'll schedule 90 minutes for in-person hearings. If you asked for an interpreter, we'll schedule for 2 hours.
• We'll schedule 60 minutes for teleconference and videoconference hearings. If you asked for an interpreter, we'll schedule for 90 minutes.
• Breaks are flexible. Just ask the member
• You can have food and drink with you
• You can ask for more time if you need it

Getting ready

• Read your file
• Have your file with you
• Prepare any questions you may have for the member
• Understand and use the numbering system on the documents we send you

Decision

You’ll usually get your decision in writing within 15 days of your hearing

We’ll send you a written copy of the decision, even if the decision is given orally at the hearing