When parents are facing tough times, governments shouldn’t make things more difficult. Unfortunately, current federal government EI policies and procedures are having a negative impact on moms and dads in the most difficult of circumstances.

Parents are waiting too long to receive EI benefits.

• Families who may be in desperate need of government support in the form of EI benefits are often left waiting to receive these benefits with unclear timetables that far exceed the current federal government standard of 28 days. 

The Government of Canada is taking parental benefits away from families when a qualified spouse passes away.

• Current EI policies are denying surviving spouses the full parental benefits owed to deceased spouses. Even worse, the surviving mom or dad can be targeted by the Government of Canada to pay back EI parental benefits paid out to their deceased spouse after the date of death.

The Government of Canada must make it easier for parents to access EI benefits and must protect the parental benefits promised to grieving families.

Simple, ethical, and responsible reforms can ensure the federal government makes life easier for moms and dads. 

We, the undersigned Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:

     1. Enforce timelines for EI parental benefit applications, so departments officials are held accountable for delays, and parents receive responses and benefits within the current 28-day standard.

     2. Where a mother or father receiving EI benefits passes away, the Government of Canada should pay the surviving spouse the full amount of EI parental benefits owed to the deceased.