April 15, 2026 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
The Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC) is mandated under the Employment Insurance Act to administer the Employment Insurance (EI) program, including annually monitoring and assessing the EI program and ensuring financial transparency and premium rate setting for the program.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, announced the designation of Chris Roberts, as Acting Commissioner for Workers effective April 13, 2026, for an 18-month term, or until a Commissioner is appointed in this role.
Prior to his designation, Mr. Roberts was the National Director of the Social and Economic Policy Department of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), where he led research and policy advice in the areas of macroeconomic and labour-market policy and regulation. He has more than 20 years of experience as a researcher, professor, and author. In addition to his membership on several labour advisory committees, he was also a member of the Social Security Tribunal Employment Insurance Appeals Consultative Committee and Senate of Canada/CEIC Jobs and Skills Roundtable.
Mr. Roberts will replace outgoing Commissioner for Workers Mr. Pierre Laliberté, who is retiring after nearly a decade of service with the CEIC.
The EI Commissioner for Workers and the Commissioner for Employers establish and maintain working relationships, and consult with, private-sector organizations and individuals that are clients of, or affected by, the EI Program. These relationships fulfill the representational responsibilities of the commissioners and enable them to reflect internally the concerns and positions of the private sector regarding the administration of legislation, policy development and implementation, and program delivery as it relates to the EI Program.
