In terms of EI eligibility, to qualify for all these special benefits—maternity, parental, compassionate care, sickness—you need to have a minimum of 600 hours in the past year, or you could be a self-employed person who has voluntarily opted into the EI program with minimum income. If you did not have these hours and you were to apply, your claim would be rejected. If you had the hours, and you were to apply for the particular benefit and meet other requirements, then yes, you would be eligible.
On May 9th, 2017. See this statement in context.