SUMMARY

The purpose of this enactment is to allow a person who leaves employment voluntarily to care for a family member with an impair ment as defined in section 118.3 of the Income Tax Act, or who loses a job because of the conflicting demands of the job and the care-giving, to receive benefits for up to 52 weeks. This may be extended with a physician's certificate.

Family is defined in a broad sense and includes step and in-law relations.

In view of this amendment, the present provisions of Part II of the Employment Insurance Act will facilitate the development and offering of programs to assist care-givers to return to the work place afterwards.