moved for leave to introduce Bill C-286, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (compassionate care benefits for dependent children).
Mr. Speaker, this bill is inspired by a number of realities, first and foremost, experiences in my riding.
When a parent is looking after a seriously ill child, six weeks is just not adequate. It simply will not do. I suggest and ask that the support period be extended to 15 weeks. When a child is seriously ill, the entire family suffers. Parents very often have to leave their jobs and the family is in a situation where it is financially stressed. When a child is ill, a family should not ever have to endure the extra concern of a financial impediment.
I would ask that members of the House consider the reality of families that deal with children who chronically or seriously ill and consider and support my bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)