The Canadian Federal Government is introducing a new Employment Insurance (EI) caregiving benefit for Canadian workers. This new 15 week EI benefit will support Canadian workers caring for a critically ill or injured family member.
Balancing work and family caregiving responsibilities is a challenge, especially when a family member is suffering from a very serious illness.
The proposed new EI benefit will give eligible caregivers up to 15 weeks of EI benefits while they are temporarily away from work. The benefit is intended for caregivers looking after a critically ill or injured family member.
Under the current program, EI benefits are available to caregivers only in cases where a loved one is gravely ill and at significant risk of death, or where a child is critically ill or injured. The new benefit provides support for a broader range of caregiver situations.
To implement these measures, the Federal Government proposes to amend the Employment Insurance Act. Provincial legislation will also require amendments to match these changes. Learn more about the new 15 week caregiver benefit and the Federal Budget 2017.
