NDP statement on PBO costing note on EI sickness benefit extension

NDP Critic for Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Daniel Blaikie, made the following statement:

“The NDP welcomes today’s costing note on Bill C-265 from the Parliamentary Budget Officer.

The pandemic has highlighted the many gaping holes within Canada’s social safety net, one of these being the EI sickness benefit. As it stands Canadians who cannot work due to illness, can only receive EI for 15 weeks; it is set to be extended to only 26 weeks in 2022. This not nearly enough time for anyone dealing with a long-term illness like cancer or the long term effects of COVID-19.

Today’s costing note shows that extending the EI sickness benefit to 50 weeks would benefit over 150,000 Canadians, helping them to pay their bills and put food on the table when they are unable to work.

Two times in this parliament the House of Commons has called on the government to establish a 50-week EI sickness benefit. The NDP has proposed the change in a private member’s bill and tried to amend government legislation.

Despite an abundance of political will and a reasonable cost, the Liberals continue to refuse to do the right thing. New Democrats will continue to fight to make sure that Canadians can get the support they need, when they need it.”