Government of Canada Announces Enhancements to Compassionate Care Benefits

Member of Parliament Parm Gill, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, today highlighted increased financial support proposed for individuals taking care of family members facing a significant risk of death.
Compassionate care benefits, which are provided through the Employment Insurance (EI) program, are available to individuals temporarily away from work to care for a sick family member with a significant risk of death. Effective January 3, 2016, the proposed enhanced benefit will provide an additional $37 million annually to extend the duration of compassionate care benefits from the current six weeks to six months. The benefits can also be taken within an expanded period of 52 weeks (up from 26 weeks) and can be shared between family members.
The enhancements being made to compassionate care benefits through Economic Action Plan (EAP) 2015 reaffirm the Government’s commitment to helping families receive the support they need as they care for loved ones at end-of-life across Canada.
Today’s announcement is one example of what the Government is doing to help Canadians. To help hard-working families, the Government is also enhancing the Universal Child Care Benefit, introducing the Family Tax Cut and making improvements to the Child Care Expenses Deduction and the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit.
As noted by MP Gill, “the Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadian families. The changes we are making through Economic Action Plan 2015 will ensure that families are able to care for their loved ones. I am pleased that families across the country will be able to access these enhanced benefits when needed.”
Contacts
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca