Bill C-307 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (bereavement leave)

This enactment amends the Canada Labour Code to extend the period during which an employee may take a leave of absence from employment in the event of the death of a child under 18 years of age or for whom a caregiver credit can be claimed under the Income Tax Act and to provide for the entitlement of an employee to a leave of absence in the event of the loss of an unborn child.

Canada Labour Code

[Tom Kmiec, Conservative, Calgary Shepard, AB]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-307, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (bereavement leave).

Mr. Speaker, I am tabling this piece of legislation, thanks to my colleague from Manitoba for seconding it. It is very simple. It would provide eight weeks of unpaid leave under the Canada Labour Code for parents who lose a child under 18, as well as for parents who lose a child over 18, where they qualified for the caregiver tax credit as a dependent person with a disability. It would also apply to those who experience a stillbirth after 20 weeks or a child up to the age of 18. It would use the definition that the provinces have standardized across all provinces in Canada.

In Canada, the current bereavement system does not apply to dads and moms. Quite a few of my colleagues have suffered the loss of a child. I have suffered the loss of a child. The member for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley also did not too long ago, as well as the member for Edmonton Centre, the member for Flamborough—Glanbrook and the member for Calgary Signal Hill. I am sure if we canvass the chamber, we will find many members who have experienced this loss in their lives.

The system that currently exists is deeply unfair to fathers and mothers who have suffered the loss of a child. The bereavement system in Canada needs to be fair, simple and compassionate.

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