Local support, smart strategies, stronger businesses
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Clement Carey is a Senior People & Culture strategist and trusted advisor who helps organizations move from intent to impact. Based in Alberta, he brings deep expertise in organizational transformation, leadership effectiveness, and workforce strategy, helping clients navigate complexity with clarity and confidence.
Clement is known for his ability to challenge thinking while building strong, trust-based relationships, ensuring that change initiatives are not only implemented but sustained.
At West-Can HR, Clement delivers high-impact HR support, recruitment solutions, and strategic consulting tailored to the realities of today’s workforce. He partners with leaders to strengthen talent pipelines, improve hiring outcomes, and align people strategies with business goals. Whether supporting growth, addressing workforce challenges, or enhancing culture and performance, Clement combines practical insight with strategic perspective to deliver measurable results. His approach is grounded, collaborative, and outcomes-focused, helping organizations build resilient teams and workplaces where people and performance thrive.
Understanding the 2026 EI Increase and Its Impact on Payroll Costs
By: West-Can HR
Employment Insurance, or EI, is a government program in Canada that provides temporary financial support to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, as well as support for certain types of leave such as sickness, maternity, or parental leave. Understanding EI is essential for HR professionals and organizations because it directly affects payroll calculations, employee contributions, and employer costs. Staying informed about EI updates helps ensure accurate payroll management, compliance with federal regulations, and effective workforce planning.
In 2026, EI is undergoing an important update that impacts both employees and employers. The maximum insurable earnings have increased to $68,900, up from $63,200 in 2025, and the employee contribution rate is now 1.63 percent. Employers must contribute 1.4 times the employee amount, which brings the maximum employer contribution to approximately $1,572 per employee annually. While these changes may seem modest on an individual level, they add up quickly across a workforce and can have a meaningful effect on payroll budgets, especially for small to mid sized organizations.
These updates highlight the importance of accurate payroll management and strategic workforce planning. EI contributions, along with CPP and other statutory payroll obligations, influence budgeting, hiring, and workforce decisions. HR firms play a key role in supporting organizations through these changes by providing guidance on payroll compliance, total employment costs, and flexible staffing solutions. Staying informed allows organizations to remain compliant, control costs, and make sustainable workforce decisions.
References:
Canada Revenue Agency. (2026). Employment Insurance premium rates and maximum insurable earnings for 2025 and 2026. Government of Canada.
Government of Canada. (2026). Payroll deductions online calculator and T4032 payroll deduction tables.
Government of Canada. (2026). Employment Insurance program: Employer contributions and guidelines.
Indigenous Career Fair – Shopper’s Mall
-April 8, 2026
Brandon Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee
– April 10, 2026
April State of the City Luncheon
– April 16, 2026
Divisional Career Fair 2026 (12:00 NN -3:00 PM)
– April 21 @ Vincent Massey
– April 22 @ Crocus Plains
– April 23 @ Neelin
Business After 5:00 with Assiniboine College Continuing Studies
– April 23, 2026
Brandon Career Symposium 2027 (Save the Date!)
-March 16-17, 2027
Strong Turnout and Engagement at the Brandon Career Symposium
Within the venue, exhibitors were thoughtfully organized by industry and education sector, facilitating easy navigation and meaningful interactions. Both attendees and exhibitors expressed appreciation for this layout, which allowed for efficient comparisons of career paths, clear engagement, and productive discussions at each booth.
The second day saw significantly improved weather, allowing attendees to fully explore the symposium. Participation remained high as individuals networked, shared resumes, and explored diverse career opportunities. The positive atmosphere and high level of engagement underscored the value of the event in supporting career exploration and professional development.
The success of the symposium would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of its organizers. Special thanks are extended to Rob and Gustavo, who oversaw full coordination, and the entire board for their hard work and commitment. The Brandon Career Symposium continues to serve as a vital platform for career discovery, and with two successful days behind them, organizers and attendees alike look forward to the next edition, BCS 2027, with great anticipation!
What an Amazing Day at Women of Westman 2026!
We had such a fantastic time at Women of Westman 2026, held at the Keystone Centre on March 11th! It was a day full of learning, connecting, and celebrating so many inspiring women in our community. The energy in the room was incredible, and we loved every moment of it.
We got to hear from some truly empowering speakers who shared great tips on leadership and the importance of supporting each other. It was a real reminder that when women lift each other up, amazing things happen, not just for individuals, but for our whole community.
It was also awesome to catch up with familiar faces and meet new people doing incredible work in Westman. The conversations, laughs, and shared stories made the day even more special.
We can’t wait for WOW 2027! Already looking forward to another day of learning, connecting, and celebrating the amazing women around us.
Connecting with Future Talent at Assiniboine College Career Fair
Team West-Can HR, Heavenlee, and Regina recently headed over to Assiniboine College for a Career Fair on March 19, and what a fun and interesting day!
We got to meet lots of college students curious about different career paths and chat with them about opportunities in the workforce.
It was also great connecting with some of the instructors. They shared their thoughts on the skills students are learning and what they see in demand in today’s job market, which was super helpful from an HR perspective.
It was inspiring to see so much energy and curiosity from students, and it reminded us how valuable these connections are for both learning and building the next generation of talent.
