Mr. Benoit Cadieux at the Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee

On October 19th, 2022. See this statement in context.

October 19th, 2022 / 5:20 p.m.

Director, Special Benefits, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development

Benoit Cadieux

Thank you very much for your question.

The average number of weeks of sickness benefits paid, based on the most recent data we have, for 2020 and 2021, is nine weeks. Of all claimants who received sickness benefit, 33%, or about a third, use the maximum allowance of 15 weeks of benefits. It is really these people who will be able to benefit from an extension of benefits to 26 weeks. By going from 15 to 26 weeks, they will be able to receive up to 11 extra weeks of benefits.

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