Employment and Social Development Canada
Canada Taps New Chief for Employment Insurance Board
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that the Employment Insurance appeals process is easy and client centred. That’s why the Government is moving forward with establishing the Employment Insurance Board of Appeal (EI BOA) to reinstate a tripartite decision-making model comprised of government, worker and employer members. The EI BOA will replace the first level of the appeal process, which is currently heard by the Social Security Tribunal, General Division.
Today, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, Steven MacKinnon, announced the following appointment to the EI BOA:
Executive Head
Jody Brennan – Sherwood Park, Alberta
The Executive Head will be responsible for ensuring a client-centric approach to administrative justice and for the management of regional coordinators and members. The Executive Head will report on the overall performance of the Board of Appeal to the Canada Employment Insurance Commission.
The Executive Head was chosen through an open, transparent and merit-based selection process with an aim to attract qualified candidates who reflect Canada’s diversity in terms of linguistic, regional and employment equity groups.
What is the Employment Insurance Board of Appeal?
The creation of the EI BOA for first-level EI appeals is a significant reform to the Employment Insurance recourse process. It is the outcome of extensive consultation with Canadians and key stakeholders across the country, including labour and employer groups.
The EI BOA will have the responsibility of hearing and deciding on all first-level EI appeals, except constitutional challenges. The management structure of the EI BOA will consist of a full-time Executive Head and up to six full-time or part-time regional coordinators who will be responsible for the day-to-day management of members. These positions will be filled by Governor in Council appointments.
The Board of Appeal will consist of regionally dispersed part-time members from across the country and will be comprised of Governor in Council appointees representing government, and Canada Employment Insurance Commission appointees representing insured workers and employers. The EI BOA is mandated to provide a fair, impartial and client-centric hearing.
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2025/03/government-of-canada-announces-executive-head-of-the-employment-insurance-board-of-appeal.html