Good morning.
On behalf of social workers across Canada, I would like to thank the committee for your consideration in bringing the voice of our profession to the discussion and debate on Bill C-44, the Helping Families in Need Act.
As background for committee members, the Canadian Association of Social Workers exists to promote the profession of social work in Canada and advance issues of social justice. As the executive director, it is my distinct honour and privilege to bring the voices of front-line social workers to this committee.
The comments I'll be making today come directly from front-line social workers, who bear witness to the emotional and financial impact of serious illness on families and individuals as well as the overwhelming experience of grief and loss when a child dies or disappears as the probable result of a crime.
I apologize in advance if some of the questions and concerns raised by social workers have already been addressed by other witnesses or members of this committee. In addition, some of my comments do not directly address Bill C-44. Nonetheless, the issues addressed are pertinent to the overall objectives of providing front-line social service providers with the economic tools to adequately support children and families in crisis.
To begin, the membership of the CSW health and children's interest groups was unanimous in its support of Bill C-44, calling it a step in the right direction in providing relief to parents in the form of limited financial help and ensuring that they do not lose their jobs because of tragic circumstances beyond their control.
As CSW understands Bill C-44, the proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code will apply only to workers in federally regulated sectors. It is apparently expected that provincial governments will make similar changes to their labour codes, as was the case when compassionate care benefits were introduced. CSW has to ask if there have been discussions with provincial jurisdictions to ensure that there will be compliance.
The matter of compassionate care benefits was also raised by a number of social workers and their provincial organizations in consultations on Bill C-44. The changes in this act do not address the challenges faced by caregivers of adult family members or by individuals who require a period beyond the 15 weeks of medical EI coverage. Consequently, I would be remiss if I did not convey that social workers request the Government of Canada to consider expanding the compassionate care benefits program to include caregivers caring for adult family members and to consider extending sick leave benefits beyond 15 weeks to a maximum of 52 weeks for those who require it.
Specific to Bill C-44, the Canadian Association of Social Workers also supports any and all improvements to programs that provide relief to families when tragic events occur, such as the disappearance or death of a child following a crime. However, it is not always easy to determine at the outset whether a disappearance is the result of a crime. Consequently, social workers had a number of questions meant to clarify the meaning and intention of this act.
First, will consideration be given to providing benefits to parents who are looking for their runaway or lost child? Who will determine if foul play is suspected and when benefits can be provided?
The Canadian Association of Social Workers applauds the initiative of this legislation to provide help and support to family caregivers looking after critically ill children. However, questions remain. What about the children who are injured as a result of an accident or the children who are seriously ill? Who decides whether and for how long parents need to be at their side and away from work? When or why can an employer refuse leave? Will there be an onus on parents and employees to prove they deserve or require this leave? What kind of documentation could the employer request? Is a medical note not enough?
Why is the definition of a child limited to those under 18, and should adult dependants not be considered for extension of coverage under this act?
It is our understanding that benefits end the week of the death of a child; would compassion not dictate that families require time after death to mourn and bury their child?
Finally, is there any requirement for parents or employees to seek counselling and other supports to help them recover so that they can return to work healed to some degree, or is the leave only to allow them time and benefits to care for their child?
Social workers ask these questions for clarification, as social workers will be involved in the interpretation of the act and in helping people learn how to access benefits. They will be advocating for people who seem unable to qualify because of unfortunate glitches or issues not readily understandable within the act.
Any application process, social workers note, that is onerous may cause a family to turn away, given that they don't need any more stress at this point in their lives.
It is the front-line experience of social workers that people often do not access services that would have eased some of their distress because the process at the front end was more than the family could manage at the time. Consequently, social workers encourage the Government of Canada and this committee to seriously consider that ineffectively delivering this type of benefit can add to, rather than, as it is intended to, subtract from, the immense stress families are already experiencing with their deep personal loss in tragic circumstances.
The CASW will be actively monitoring this act and its implementation, primarily to advocate for clarification and to lobby for changes where needed, and perhaps will be be involving advocacy for provincial legislation where people can now qualify and more assistance is needed.
Again, on behalf of social workers across Canada, I thank the committee for your consideration in hearing the views of our profession on Bill C-44.
Thank you.