You have to pay into Employment Insurance for a few months first, before you can collect it. Freelancers and other self-employed people don't qualify. Also, the

You have to pay into Employment Insurance for a few months first, before you can collect it. Freelancers and other self-employed people don't qualify. Also, the safety net is generally only for citizens of a country who pay income taxes, not visitors as this person appears to be ("overseas").