Conservatives push to expand EI reform for grieving families
A Conservative MP told True North that his party will move to expand new employment insurance legislation to ensure grieving families don’t lose access to benefits in the event of a parent's death.
Conservative MP Garnett Genuis told True North that his party will move to expand new employment insurance legislation to ensure grieving families don’t lose access to benefits in the event of a parent’s death — a scenario he says is currently overlooked.
Bill C-222, introduced as a private member’s bill by Liberal MP Terry Beech, would amend the Employment Insurance Act to ensure parental EI benefits continue if a newborn or adopted child dies during the benefit period. It would also amend the Canada Labour Code to allow parents to retain maternity or parental leave in the event of a child’s death.
But Genuis said the bill still leaves families vulnerable when the parent on leave dies.
“We’re dealing with the most tragic circumstances here, and families who’ve paid into the system are losing benefits right when they need them most,” Genuis said in an interview with True North. “That’s not right, and it doesn’t reflect the purpose of EI.”
The Alberta MP and Conservative employment critic said his party will support the bill at second reading but will propose an amendment to close what he described as a serious loophole.
“It’s great that the bill addresses the issue of a child’s death—and we support that—but the logic applies equally if it’s the parent who passes away,” Genuis said. “In either case, the surviving family should continue to receive the benefits they’re entitled to.”
He added that Conservatives have been calling for these types of changes “for years” and criticized the Liberals for resisting previous proposals.
“This is not a new issue. We’ve raised it before and been met with obstruction. Now, with this bill on the table, we want to get it right — and get it done.”
A Conservative motion, M-110, was introduced by Conservative MP Blake Richards in 2016 to study the issue of grieving families who lost a child, as well as the impacts on their financial well-being as it relates to the Employment Insurance Parental Benefits program.
Asked about the mood in Parliament toward amending the legislation, Genuis was hopeful.
“I think there’s growing recognition that the system needs to be more compassionate. We’re calling on all parties to work with us to expand the bill and ensure that no family is left behind in their grief.”
Genuis said the Conservatives will table their proposed amendment when the bill is reviewed in committee.
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