Next, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table a petition in support of families dealing with bereavement and loss who want to see reforms to the employment insurance system that allow for the continuation of certain benefits with as little red tape as possible in the process. Later today, we are going to be debating a private member's bill that goes partway there. The petitioners are highlighting further action that is required.
They note that if a person on parental leave passes away, their family immediately loses access to benefits that they have paid into. A family that pays into that system should not lose benefits they paid for, especially when they need them most. Compounding grief with the abrupt end of benefits creates financial distress at a time when families are already dealing with the unimaginable. Petitioners note that the human resources committee has recently agreed to study this issue and has requested costing information on a proposal to protect these benefits if the parent on leave passes away.
Petitioners want to see the government reform the EI system to support all grieving families by preserving access to parental leave if the parent on leave passes away.