Information Notice - Compassionate Care Leave

To: Heads, Compensation and Labour Relations

This information notice is provided to clarify information regarding compassionate care leave.

The Employment Insurance Act and Regulations have recently been amended to expand eligibility for the compassionate care benefit. Effective June 11, 2006, the definition of “family member” for the purposes of the compassionate care benefits has a much wider range under employment insurance.

Please refer to Employment Insurance (EI) Compassionate Care Benefits for more information on specific changes to the definition of “family member.”

Leave provision

Presently, collective agreements do not have a provision for compassionate care leave. However, this leave is to be approved in accordance with the provisions of the “leave without pay for the care of immediate family” or “leave without pay for long-term care of a parent” or the articles of the relevant collective agreement. Therefore, the definition of “family member” under these articles must be respected.

If the gravely ill person does not qualify as a “family member” under the above articles or if the relevant collective agreement does not contain a provision for either of these types of leave, the period of leave without pay is to be approved in accordance with the provisions of the ”leave without pay for other reasons” until otherwise directed by the Treasury Board Secretariat.

Please disseminate the attached notice to all employees, ensuring a hard copy is provided for those who do not have access to a computer.

Departmental compensation and staff relations managers should direct any questions to their appropriate corporate officials who, if need be, can contact the Pay Administration Section.

Original signed by

Sylvie Joseph
Acting Director, Project Management, Internal Service Transformation and Pay Administration
Labour Relations and Compensation Operations


Notice to all Employees

Compassionate Care Leave

This notice is to bring to your attention changes regarding compassionate care leave.

The Employment Insurance Act and Regulations have recently been amended to expand eligibility for the compassionate care benefit. Effective , the definition of “family member” for the purposes of the compassionate care benefits has a much wider range under the Employment Insurance Act.

Presently, collective agreements do not have a provision for compassionate care leave. However, this leave is to be approved in accordance with the provisions of the “leave without pay for the care of immediate family” or the “leave without pay for long-term care of a parent” or applicable articles of the relevant collective agreement. Therefore, the definition of “family member” under these articles must be respected.

If the gravely ill person does not qualify as a “family member” under the above articles, or if the relevant collective agreement does not contain a provision for “leave without pay for the care of immediate family” or “leave without pay for long-term care of a parent”, the period of leave without pay is to be approved in accordance with the provisions of the “leave without pay for other reasons” until otherwise directed by the Treasury Board Secretariat.

Please refer to Employment Insurance (EI) Compassionate Care Benefits for more information on specific changes to the definition of “family members.”

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