As to the $50 dollars a year. Have been an EI for 8 years and have never been charged (have always believed the 50 to be a marketing ploy).
One thing I have always wondered about, though. As an EI if I rent an intermediate I have access to EI choice. Last time in FLL there was such a huge wait, (EI people litteraly sitting on the curb waiting for a car, ANY car, that after a few of us complained, the brought out SUVs. We packed up and left. Nowhere did I see where any one made a note that we were entitled to them. What's to stop an EI person from doing this on a more regular basis?