Thank you for the question. This is something that we're looking into. I would say that we don't have the data yet to really be able to say what impact long COVID has had on EI sickness benefit take-up. Certainly those who are unable to work due to long COVID could have access to EI sickness benefits, and with the extension to 26 weeks, they will have access to up to half a year of income support in the case where they're unable to work due to long COVID.
I would just add that there are also flexibilities built into EI sickness benefits that allow claimants to receive those 26 weeks of benefits within a 52-week benefit period. So the claimant who perhaps is able to return to work here and there, a few days a week, perhaps a week here and there, and gradually return to work can do so and can spread the use of their sickness benefits over a full year, allowing them to return to the labour force gradually.