Relieving Grieving Parents of an Administrative Burden Act (Evan's Law)
Amends the Employment Insurance Act and Canada Labour Code to provide grieving parents with up to 15 weeks of EI benefits after the death of a child, and guarantees job-protected leave for the same period. Removes the administrative burden of proving medical incapacity to work.
Sponsor · Hon. Terry Beech
If a parent loses a child, they can take up to 15 weeks off work with EI benefits without needing a doctor's note proving they can't work. Their job is protected. Currently, bereaved parents must use sick leave or go without pay.
The debate · 5 points
Supporters say
- Parents who lose a child while on parental leave currently lose their benefits and must contact Service Canada. If they don't, they can build up a debt that the Canada Revenue Agency later recovers. The bill would let them keep their benefits without these steps.
- Supporters say the bill would cost little on a net basis. Many parents would otherwise move to EI sickness benefits, which pay about the same. The bill would also reduce administrative work, such as biweekly reports and debt recovery.
- Research on perinatal deaths finds that parents who lack paid leave, or who return to work too soon, report more psychological distress and difficulty at work. Quebec's existing leave for late pregnancy losses is cited as a model.
Critics say
- A Library of Parliament costing estimates payouts of several million dollars. Some members worry about the fiscal impact, although the bill's sponsor disputes that the net cost would be high.
- The Speaker has ruled that the bill needs a royal recommendation before its final vote in the House. Without one, the bill cannot pass in its current form.
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