Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefit Expanded

Community Unemployed Help Centre executive director played key role in bringing about change.

In January 2004 the federal government amended the Employment Insurance Act to provide Compassionate Care benefits for up to six weeks to care for a terminally ill family member. Unfortunately, benefits were only available to the parents, spouse or children of the dying family member.

When Community Unemployed Help Centre (CUHC) executive director Neil Cohen's brother was diagnosed with inoperable Cancer, Neil saw an opportunity to challenge the legislation and applied for EI compassionate care benefits in March 2004, just a few weeks prior to his brother Howard's passing. Neil was denied benefits, as siblings did not qualify under the legislation.

He appealed the decision and obtained representation from the Public Interest Law Centre. While similar cases were appealed, Neil's case was the lead case nationally and potentially precedent setting. As his case and others weaved their way through the courts, Neil continued to push hard for expanded eligibility to include other family members.

Last fall the federal government announced that EI Compassionate Care legislation would be expanded, but failed to provide details. On November 28, while attending meetings in Ottawa, Neil sat in the gallery of the House of Commons when Belinda Stronach, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development quite unexpectedly announced that the legislation would be amended to provide EI Compassionate Care benefits to anyone considered by the terminally ill person as "like family", regardless of their relationship. The amendment is scheduled to go into effect early this year.

The Community Unemployed Help Centre has kicked off its 2006 fundraising campaign. Neil Cohen's challenge resulted in a legislative change that will benefit hundreds of workers and families each year that had previously failed to qualify for EI Compassionate Care benefits. While it was Neil's challenge, it was aided and supported by the CUHC - consistent with other challenges the Centre has taken on and demonstrates the impact of the Centre's work.

The Community Unemployed Help Centre remains an invaluable resource for workers throughout Manitoba and Canada. If you'd like to assist them with a donation during their fundraising campaign, it can be sent to Community Unemployed Help Centre, 501-275 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4M6. Further information, or help with a problem you're encountering, can be obtained by phoning the Centre at 942-6556.