In advance of the federal government’s Fall Economic Statement, LEAF is calling on the government to address gender-based discrimination in the Employment Insurance system.
Currently, people who receive parental and maternity benefits – overwhelmingly women – who then lose their jobs during or soon after parental leave are denied EI regular benefits. This means that people who have been earning only half their salary while on parental leave, and who then lose their jobs, suddenly find themselves with no income replacement whatsoever while they look for employment.
Echoing Mouvement Action-Chômage de Montréal‘s ongoing advocacy on this issue, LEAF is proposing clear, achievable reforms to the Employment Insurance Act that would allow women to access regular benefits should they lose their jobs during or soon after parental leave.
LEAF calls on the Federal Government to address these changes in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement and to amend the legislation accordingly by winter 2025.
To learn more, read our Call for Amendments below.