Hopefully all things go well today and then after today it goes back for report stage to the House relatively quickly, and any sort of procedural measure we could use to do it quicker, the better.

That's the question I get from stakeholders all the time as well. When does it get to the Senate? When does it pass the Senate? When does it become law?

A very astute amendment that was jointly submitted by both MP Housefather and me was the three-month waiting period for implementation. After it passes, it allows a number of groups, organizations and the workforce to know they have that three-month implementation period once it becomes law. That's one of the amendments tabled, and I think it's a very smart one to ensure that it doesn't surprise a lot of stakeholders that you'll now be allowed two weeks of bereavement leave.

February 25th, 2021 / 4:15 p.m.

Conservative

Corey Tochor Conservative Saskatoon—University, SK

I guess this is more of a comment to the Liberal members who are on here. I encourage you to talk to your leadership about getting this fast-tracked. The leadership can move on this as quickly as they would like. I believe we would find the Senate very open to debate and hopefully quick passage as well. There's no reason this can't be done before the upcoming election. This is too important to die. No pun intended—that's terrible. We need to ensure these supports are out there.

A question came up when we were talking about next steps with the provinces. Just to get the lay of the land, I'm not sure who would be the best person to talk to. It might be Paul, if you've done some work nationally or looked into this.

Are there provinces that have augmented their supports during this time period? Maybe some provinces have better support programs out there for grieving people.

4:15 p.m.

Member, Canadian Grief Alliance

Paul Adams

I'll defer to Mr. Jeneroux, but I think there are quite a variety of approaches across the country. The importance of this legislation is that a lot of provinces look to the federal government in terms of providing models.

As Mr. Jeneroux suggested, we hope those that aren't providing this level of relief to the bereaved will step in and follow suit.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB

I'll comment quickly on that too, Corey.

We've already had some conversations with different provinces, and they've pretty much given the same sign that, yes, once things happen at the federal level, they will relatively quickly—I think our statistics show 95% of the time—follow what we do at the national level.

That will be important, because as soon as they fall in line, every Canadian across the country, according to their employment standards acts, will have that opportunity to access the bereavement leave.

4:15 p.m.

Conservative

Corey Tochor Conservative Saskatoon—University, SK

Thank you again, Matt, for bringing this forward.

To our witnesses, this is consensus across party lines and from coast to coast. I sure would not want this not to be passed, because it would die on the Order Paper if we had an election before it got passed. I would encourage everyone to do their part to make sure leadership knows that this should come through as quickly as possible.

Thank you, everyone.

4:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Thank you, Mr. Tochor.

We'll go to Mr. Dong for five minutes, please.

4:15 p.m.

Liberal

Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON

Thank you very much, Chair.

I want to thank all the witnesses for coming forward.

To my colleague from the Conservative party, MP Jeneroux, congratulations on introducing this bill and being so consistent on pushing and shepherding this thing forward. I commend you for your dedication in voicing the opinions of many individuals who have experienced this, because it is a tragedy for any family to lose a loved one and have to worry about financial support. This is a very timely bill.

MP Tochor's question is a very important one. This is one of those very few bills that attracts support from members of all parties. We are in a minority situation, so it's great to see such a bill come forward from time to time, making sure Canadians are getting the support they expect from their parliamentarians.

I'm a new MP, and you obviously have a lot more experience in this in terms of legislative procedure. Is there anything we can do together to make this bill pass and go forward quickly, to guide public policy toward providing actual support to individuals who may find it beneficial? We know that this will perhaps guide some changes in the EI system—the calculation of EI and the formula—and we have also seen recent changes in EI providing additional support to Canadians, so there will be a cost factor in this as well.

What's your vision on this, and how can we move this as fast as we can to make sure Canadians will get the right support?

4:20 p.m.

Conservative

Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB

Thanks, MP Dong.

I still consider myself a newbie. I have one term under my belt, but certainly it's my first time through this process. I'm kind of learning as we go as well.

The next step is obviously the third reading and getting support in the House. If we're all onside with that and with the amendments, it would then go to the Senate. I started making calls to a number of the senators I know to encourage them, when it does come, to help see it through the process. I would implore you and others to do the same in terms of helping that along.

As MP Tochor showed, if or when there's an election, these sorts of things die on the Order Paper. The story of how this started, from the beginning through to the amendments from the minister and the parliamentary secretary, is a good news story to share with Canadians. I would hate for all that to be put aside if we don't get it through the Senate.

4:20 p.m.

Liberal

Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON

Thank you for that.

In terms of the EI portion, if passed, it will bring some changes to the EI system.

Can I get your thoughts on this? Do you think there are expectations from the public, first in terms of changes to the EI system, and then for Ottawa to approve this as quickly as we can?

4:20 p.m.

Conservative

Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB

I think you've seen, even from the stakeholders today, the expectation that EI will change and follow suit. With bereavement right now, EI covers 72 hours of grieving. If you put it in that perspective, thinking about the death of someone who is very near and dear to you, 72 hours really isn't a lot of time. Under a private member's bill, we can't include that as part of the scope of this bill, but a unanimous vote in the House shows that support for the minister. I should be clear that it isn't Minister Tassi. It's Minister Qualtrough who is responsible for the EI component.

To be clear, the next steps will be to follow suit with EI to make sure, at the very least, that it's covering those two weeks.

4:20 p.m.

Liberal

Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON

Thank you.

I have a very quick question.

To all panellists, do you see the coverage being for one caregiver or could it be expanded to cover multiple caregivers? During COVID, especially, we've seen that all families pull together to support individuals in this care.

4:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Go ahead, Mr. Adams, very quickly.

4:20 p.m.

Member, Canadian Grief Alliance

Paul Adams

We certainly believe there are others, in addition to the caregiver, who are bereaved and need the time. We also believe that if EI steps up and supports this measure, we're going to see the provinces fall into place very quickly. That's the key order of business.

4:20 p.m.

Helena Sonea Senior Manager, Advocacy, Canadian Cancer Society

I would like to briefly add—

4:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Quickly, please....

4:20 p.m.

Senior Manager, Advocacy, Canadian Cancer Society

Helena Sonea

We would really hope to see this change come through separately and not as part of a larger reform to the overall EI system. We want to keep these two issues separate to ensure a very quick implementation.

4:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Thank you, Ms. Sonea.

Thank you, Mr. Dong.

4:20 p.m.

Liberal

Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON

Thank you.

4:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

We’ll go now to Ms. Chabot for two and a half minutes.

4:20 p.m.

Bloc

Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I apologize to the witnesses, but I’d like us to be able, during this public meeting, to debate the three motions I introduced. I leave it to you, Mr. Chair, to decide upon the appropriate moment to do so. I wouldn’t want our discussions to interfere with this initial hour for the witnesses.

Is this the proper way to proceed?

4:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Yes. Thank you, Ms. Chabot.

We could, if it suits you, discuss your motions after the evidence, out of politeness for the witnesses.

4:25 p.m.

Bloc

Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC

That’s exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you.

I believe I have a minute left?

4:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Yes.

4:25 p.m.

Bloc

Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC

I want to point out that I fully share the idea that this bill would move us one step forward into the future. That’s how we’ve been able to move our social programs forward.

Under the current provisions, caregivers have to return to work when the person they have been caring for dies, which is ridiculous. The bill would change that. Caregivers would no longer have to fear losing their job or having problems at work because of the circumstances.

My view is that we should go even farther than this bill proposes. Amendments to employment insurance are in fact possible. We are also currently conducting a study to review the whole EI system. It provides regular benefits for workers, but also special benefits such as sickness benefits, which we would like to see increased to 50 weeks. We are also looking into making the eligibility conditions for compassionate care benefits more flexible. It is therefore possible to do more.

Nevertheless, my understanding is that the current strategy is to focus on what changes we can make quickly. We want a major change to be set in motion right now.

Is that your view as well?