Bill C-249

An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (combined weeks of benefits rule and certain benefits)

Sponsor

Alexandre Boulerice  NDP

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Outside the Order of Precedence (a private member's bill that hasn't yet won the draw that determines which private member's bills can be debated), as of Oct. 21, 2025

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Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Employment Insurance Act to provide that the combined weeks of benefits rule does not apply to benefits paid because of pregnancy or because the claimant is caring for their new-born child or a child placed with them for adoption. It also amends the Act to allow the extension of the benefit period for claimants who are in receipt of benefits paid because of pregnancy or parental benefits. Finally, it amends the Act to increase from fifteen to twenty-six the maximum number of weeks for which benefits may be paid to a claimant who is providing care or support to one or more critically ill adults.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-249s:

C-249 (2022) Encouraging the Growth of the Cryptoasset Sector Act
C-249 (2020) An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act (refund – cancelled air service)
C-249 (2016) An Act to amend the Public Health Agency of Canada Act (National Alzheimer Office)
C-249 (2013) An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (no GST on the sale of home heating fuels)

Employment Insurance ActRoutine Proceedings

October 21st, 2025 / 10 a.m.

NDP

Alexandre Boulerice NDP Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C‑249, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (combined weeks of benefits rule and certain benefits).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House to introduce this important bill. Employment insurance has been in need of a major reform for years. The Liberals promised to reform the system but then did nothing. This bill seeks to correct two completely unacceptable situations that are easy to fix.

When someone comes back from maternity leave and loses their job, they are not eligible for employment insurance benefits because their qualifying period is too short. This bill will remedy this ridiculous situation that mainly affects women.

This bill will also correct another situation. People who are eligible for EI sickness benefits are entitled to up to 26 weeks, while family caregivers, who are often women, are entitled to only 15 weeks. It is completely ridiculous that the person helping the sick person does not have access to the same number of weeks of benefits as the sick person.

My bill would quickly remedy these two situations, which mainly affect women. I hope it will receive the unanimous support of the House.

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