Bill C-525 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (maximum -- special benefits)

This enactment amends the Employment Insurance Act to extend the maximum period for which special benefits for illness, injury or quarantine may be paid from 15 weeks to 50 weeks.

Employment Insurance

[Luc Malo, Bloc, Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I am presenting a petition signed by 145 people from the riding of Verchères—Les Patriotes on amending the provisions in paragraph 12(3)(c) of the Employment Insurance Act. These provisions concern benefits payable in case of illness.

Like tens of thousands of others who have signed petitions, they are asking the House of Commons to significantly extend these provisions to more realistically reflect the varying lengths of time claimants need to recover, depending on their disability.

The current provisions, which allow a maximum of 15 weeks of sickness benefits, have not been changed since 1971. This petition serves as concrete encouragement for Marie-Hélène Dubé, a cancer survivor who decided, because she was suffering the consequences, that the legislation should be changed so that people with a serious illness do not rush back to work at the end of 15 weeks of benefits.

I also invite the members to support Bill C-525, which responds to the concerns of the people who signed this petition and Marie-Hélène Dubé.

[Robert Bouchard, Bloc, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to present a petition signed by several hundred residents from the Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean region and elsewhere in Quebec, who state that they are deeply concerned about the lack of support for sick persons within the employment insurance system. The petitioners ask that changes be made to the Employment Insurance Act to have sickness benefits provided for a period of 50 weeks rather than 15 weeks, as is the case currently, and that the rules governing eligibility to the program be made more flexible.

I want to highlight the courage and the colossal work of Claudia Ouellet from Dolbeau-Mistassini who circulated the petition and made thousands of citizens aware of the serious impact that illness can have because of the lack of flexibility in the Employment Insurance Act. This petition is in addition to the 62,000-name petition presented in April by my colleague from Chambly—Borduas. Moreover, this petition is consistent with Bill C-525, introduced by my Bloc Québécois colleague, the member for Alfred-Pellan.

And in conclusion, I must deplore the lack of openness of the member for Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean who was unavailable to receive Ms. Ouellet in his office to present this petition. That is incredible. And so, on behalf of Claudia Ouellet from Dolbeau-Mistassini, I am presenting this petition aimed at improving EI sickness benefits.

Employment Insurance Act

[Robert Carrier, Bloc, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-525, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (maximum—special benefits).

I am honoured to present this bill, which would extend the maximum period for which special benefits for serious illness may be paid from 15 weeks to 50 weeks.This bill was introduced in previous Parliaments, but has never been passed at third reading. My colleague from Chambly—Borduas staunchly defended it, and he assures me that I have his full support in presenting this bill once again.

I feel it is my duty to present this bill today. It is my responsibility as the member for Alfred-Pellan to show my support for my constituent, Marie-Hélène Dubé, who was behind a petition with 62,700 signatures that was presented in the House by the member for Chambly—Borduas. Ms. Dubé, a mother of two children, has thyroid cancer. Despite initial surgery and treatments, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, and further treatment is required.

This bill would help those who must cope with this terrible illness and who are only eligible for 15 weeks of employment insurance.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)