The temporary measure boosts the maximum period for EI benefits to 65 weeks. The cost of additional benefits will be $126 million in the 2025–26 fiscal year. EI is taxable however, and the PBO expects the government to recover $176 million. As the EI contribution rate is set to balance the operating account over a seven-year period, the PBO estimated that the EI premium increase will be less than 1 cent per $100 of insurable earnings. The PBO made the estimates using historical claims data and applied a 2.5% annual growth rate to average weekly benefits paid.