Extra EI to care for ailing kin

Compassionate leave time will be more than doubled

OTTAWA— The Conservatives will more than double the amount of time Canadians can draw on employment insurance for compassionate leave to care for an ailing loved one, the Star has learned.

Tuesday’s budget will extend the existing compassionate leave provision to more than 12 weeks, a source says.

It’s one highlight in a financial document that is expected to put a focus on the themes of families, national security and infrastructure.

“We will significantly extend the duration of the compassionate care benefits . . . to ensure that we help,” a source told the Star.

“When a Canadian is caring for a loved one who is dying or gravely ill, they will not and should not have to choose between keeping their job and caring for their family.”

The benefit was first introduced in January 2004 and then expanded in 2006 by broadening the definition of family members who could access it. The benefit is meant to assist people forced to take time off work to act as a caregiver to a family member struggling with a grave illness.

Previously, taking an extended leave from work meant the caregiver was financially penalized through the loss of income, not to mention putting his or her job in possible jeopardy.

Under the current compassionate care plan, people can draw up to six weeks of employment insurance benefits to take leave from work to care or support a family member who is gravely ill and who has a significant risk of death within 26 weeks (six months), according to the rules.

Under those rules, to be eligible to claim the benefit, a worker’s weekly earnings must have dropped by more than 40 per cent and they must have worked at least 600 hours in the last 52 weeks.