Thank you for the question.
We were supportive of at least 26 weeks, which is what has been included in the federal budget. We were pleased to see that as a starting point. We know that claimants exhaust the 15-week mark that currently exists. About three-quarters of claimants took at least an additional 26 weeks off of work.
When we talk about 50 weeks, 26 weeks is a strong start, but we know that the average length of treatment and physical recovery for breast, colon and rectal cancers, three of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, exceed that 26 weeks—26 to 36, 37 and 47 weeks respectively. We also know that the overwhelming majority of Canadians support an extension greater than the 26 weeks to 50 weeks. Polling conducted in March 2021 showed that 84% support extending the employment insurance sickness benefit up to 50 weeks, and four in five Canadians would do so despite the cost to themselves or their employers.
Any additional extension beyond 26 weeks would also be very welcomed by the Canadian Cancer Society. We know that all parties have supported an extension. We welcome continuing this discussion and moving this file forward.