From The Cultural Human Resources Council:

NEW! Employment Insurance Special Benefits for Self-Employed People: The Impact on Artists and Cultural Workers
Full document (PDF)
Self-employed Canadians are be able to enroll in the Employment Insurance program and become eligible to receive these EI special benefits effective January 1, 2011: Maternity Benefits, Parental Benefits, Compassionate Care Benefits and Sickness Benefits. This report examines this new program to determine its relevance for the cultural community and the likelihood that freelance artists and other cultural workers will enroll.