This enactment amends the Employment Insurance Act to increase from 15 to 50 the maximum number of weeks for which benefits may be paid because of illness, injury or quarantine.

Preamble

Whereas on February 19, 2020, the House of Commons supported by majority vote a motion calling on the government to increase the employment insurance special sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 50 weeks in order to support people with serious illnesses, such as cancer;

And whereas it is important for all Canadians that Parliament amend the Employment Insurance Act in order to prevent someone who is sick from finding themselves in a situation like that of Émilie Sansfaçon, who would have greatly benefited from additional weeks of special sickness benefits to spend precious time with her family members before losing her battle against cancer;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

• (c) because of a prescribed illness, injury or quarantine is Insertion start 50 Insertion end ;

• (c) because of a prescribed illness, injury or quarantine is Insertion start 50 Insertion end ;