44th Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 6, 2023441-01794441-01794 (Social affairs and equality)BradVisMission—Matsqui—Fraser CanyonConservativeBCOctober 23, 2023December 6, 2023June 14, 2023Petition to the Government of Canada WHEREAS
  • Losing a young child is a traumatic experience for parents and families;
  • The sudden death of a child can place unforeseen financial burden on the family while they are in the earliest stages of mourning; and
  • Families have had their Canada Child Benefit accidentally paid out and then clawed back by the Government of Canada after the death of a child, placing even further undue stress and financial burden upon on them.
THEREFOREWe, the undersigned citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call on the Government of Canada to extend the Canada Child Benefit to parents of deceased children for a period of at least two (2) months following the death of the child.
Response by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of FinanceSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Chrystia FreelandThe loss of a child is an extremely sad and difficult time for families and the Government of Canada provides support to families caring for their sick or injured child, or who find themselves in this very tragic situation of having lost a child, through various programs. For example:
  • Employment Insurance (EI) family caregiver benefits for children provide up to 35 weeks of income support to workers who are unable to work to take care of a child who is critically ill or injured;
  • EI compassionate care benefits provide up to 26 weeks of income support to workers who are unable to work when they have to take care of a person who requires end-of-life care;
  • EI sickness benefits are available to eligible parents when they are unable to work due to emotional or psychological distress, including grieving, and is available for up to 26 weeks when they need time off work following the death of their child; and
  • EI maternity benefits continue to be payable following the loss of a child, as they are designed to support a birth mother’s physical and emotional recovery for up to 15 weeks surrounding childbirth.
The Government of Canada also provides support through the Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime for parents or legal guardians who have taken time away from work and suffered a loss of income to cope with the death or disappearance of their child or children. The benefit provides eligible parents with payments of $500 per week, paid every 2 weeks, for a maximum of 35 weeks, which do not have to be consecutive, over a period of 3 years. 
Benefits for childrenChildrenDeaths and funerals
44th Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 16, 2023441-01590441-01590 (Employment and labour)BlakeRichardsBanff—AirdrieConservativeABJune 21, 2023August 16, 2023May 30, 2023PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned Citizens of Canada draw the attention of the House to the following:WHEREAS: Parents who experience the loss of a child are often left without financial support or job security while they are grieving;Motion 110 (42-1) called on the Government of Canada to improve the compassion and support offered to grieving parents by the federal government;The House of Commons passed Motion 110 (42-1) unanimously;The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities undertook a study on Motion 110 (42-1);The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities tabled a report entitled Supporting Families After the Loss of a Child, which contained seven key recommendations to improve the compassion and support offered to grieving parents by the federal government;The signatories of this petition recognize the announcement by the Government of Canada their intention to implement some of these recommendations in the 2023 Federal Budget; andThe Government of Canada has still not implemented all of the recommendations in the report.THEREFORE, we, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1- Implement a bereavement benefit for all grieving parents of pregnancy and infant loss; and2- Implement all seven of the recommendations contained within the report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled Supporting Families After the Loss of a Child.
Response by the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official LanguagesSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Irek KusmierczykThe Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for sharing their views and notes the request to implement a bereavement benefit for all grieving parents of pregnancy and infant loss and to implement all seven of the recommendations contained within the report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled Supporting Families After the Loss of a Child.The Government welcomed the recommendations of the committee and responded along the key themes of:
  1. enhancing information and services for grieving families in a compassionate way;
  2. reducing financial hardships and supporting flexible return-to-work for parents who suffered the loss of a child; and,
  3. conducting policy analysis regarding supports for parents who have suffered the loss of a child.
For the full Government response to the committee, please visit: ourcommons.ca/content/Committee/421/HUMA/GovResponse/RP10555719/421_HUMA_Rpt14_GR/421_HUMA_Rpt14_GR-e.pdf.The Government acknowledges that grieving the loss of a child is difficult and that these events can have implications for Canadians’ mental and physical health, and that this can make it difficult to return to work. The Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits are available to eligible parents who need to step away from work due to the emotional or psychological distress caused by the loss of a loved one, including a child. On December 18, 2022, the Government announced an extension of EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks for new claims beginning on or after this date.In addition, in the tragic event that the infant dies during the 15-week period surrounding childbirth, a parent who has established an EI maternity claim will continue to be eligible to receive benefits to support their recovery from pregnancy and childbirth. Maternity benefits are also payable to eligible parents in the event of a pregnancy loss (e.g., a stillbirth) that occurs during or after the 20th week of pregnancy.Part III of the Canada Labour Code (the Code) includes leave provisions to ensure that federally regulated private sector employees (about 6% of all Canadian employees) have job-protected leave while claiming an EI special benefit, including maternity and sickness benefits. Job protection is a federal-provincial/territorial responsibility and leave provisions included in PT labour standard legislation generally align with those from the Code.Since 2019, several changes have been made to the Code that can support grieving parents. These changes include:
  • the enhancement of bereavement leave, from three days with pay, immediately following the death of an immediate family member, to ten working days (including three days with pay) that can be taken up to six weeks after the funeral, memorial service or burial. An Act to Amend the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canada Labour Code (Bill C-3), which received Royal Assent in December 2021, includes amendments to bereavement leave that will provide up to eight weeks of unpaid leave for employees who experience a stillbirth or the death of a child. An order of the Governor in Council will be necessary to bring these provisions into force;
  • the addition of a new personal leave of five days (including three days with pay) that can be used by parents to attend to any urgent matter concerning their family members, including following the death of their child or a pregnancy loss;
  • the enhancement of medical leave without pay from 17 weeks to 27 weeks to align with the extension of EI sickness benefits, and entitling employees to earn and take up to 10 days of medical leave with pay per year; and,
  • the introduction of a right to request flexible work arrangements, which can help employees to cope with the death of their child by allowing them to formally request a change to the terms and conditions of their employment related to the number of hours they work, their work schedule, and the location of their work.
In addition, as announced in Budget 2023, the Government is committed to amend the Code to create a new stand-alone leave for employees who experience a pregnancy loss. This new leave will provide employees with time to begin their physical and emotional recovery without risk of losing their job or forfeiting income security.Building a modernized EI program remains an important part of the Government’s commitment to support workers. Work is underway to modernize the program, informed by the feedback received from individuals and stakeholders through substantive consultations held through 2021 and 2022, as well as changing economic conditions so that Canadians continue to be supported.Once again, the Government wishes to thank the petitioners.  Their views will be taken into consideration in our ongoing efforts to improve the EI program.
Deaths and funeralsEmployment insuranceInfantsLeave from work
44th Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 16, 2023441-01546441-01546 (Employment and labour)BlakeRichardsBanff—AirdrieConservativeABJune 14, 2023August 16, 2023May 30, 2023PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned Citizens of Canada draw the attention of the House to the following:WHEREAS: Parents who experience the loss of a child are often left without financial support or job security while they are grieving;Motion 110 (42-1) called on the Government of Canada to improve the compassion and support offered to grieving parents by the federal government;The House of Commons passed Motion 110 (42-1) unanimously;The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities undertook a study on Motion 110 (42-1);The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities tabled a report entitled Supporting Families After the Loss of a Child, which contained seven key recommendations to improve the compassion and support offered to grieving parents by the federal government;The signatories of this petition recognize the announcement by the Government of Canada their intention to implement some of these recommendations in the 2023 Federal Budget; andThe Government of Canada has still not implemented all of the recommendations in the report.THEREFORE, we, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1- Implement a bereavement benefit for all grieving parents of pregnancy and infant loss; and2- Implement all seven of the recommendations contained within the report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled Supporting Families After the Loss of a Child.
Response by the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official LanguagesSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Irek KusmierczykThe Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for sharing their views and notes the request to implement a bereavement benefit for all grieving parents of pregnancy and infant loss and to implement all seven of the recommendations contained within the report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled Supporting Families After the Loss of a Child.The Government welcomed the recommendations of the committee and responded along the key themes of:
  1. enhancing information and services for grieving families in a compassionate way;
  2. reducing financial hardships and supporting flexible return-to-work for parents who suffered the loss of a child; and,
  3. conducting policy analysis regarding supports for parents who have suffered the loss of a child.
For the full Government response to the committee, please visit: ourcommons.ca/content/Committee/421/HUMA/GovResponse/RP10555719/421_HUMA_Rpt14_GR/421_HUMA_Rpt14_GR-e.pdf.The Government acknowledges that grieving the loss of a child is difficult and that these events can have implications for Canadians’ mental and physical health, and that this can make it difficult to return to work. The Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits are available to eligible parents who need to step away from work due to the emotional or psychological distress caused by the loss of a loved one, including a child. On December 18, 2022, the Government announced an extension of EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks for new claims beginning on or after this date.In addition, in the tragic event that the infant dies during the 15-week period surrounding childbirth, a parent who has established an EI maternity claim will continue to be eligible to receive benefits to support their recovery from pregnancy and childbirth. Maternity benefits are also payable to eligible parents in the event of a pregnancy loss (e.g., a stillbirth) that occurs during or after the 20th week of pregnancy.Part III of the Canada Labour Code (the Code) includes leave provisions to ensure that federally regulated private sector employees (about 6% of all Canadian employees) have job-protected leave while claiming an EI special benefit, including maternity and sickness benefits. Job protection is a federal-provincial/territorial responsibility and leave provisions included in PT labour standard legislation generally align with those from the Code.Since 2019, several changes have been made to the Code that can support grieving parents. These changes include:
  • the enhancement of bereavement leave, from three days with pay, immediately following the death of an immediate family member, to ten working days (including three days with pay) that can be taken up to six weeks after the funeral, memorial service or burial. An Act to Amend the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canada Labour Code (Bill C-3), which received Royal Assent in December 2021, includes amendments to bereavement leave that will provide up to eight weeks of unpaid leave for employees who experience a stillbirth or the death of a child. An order of the Governor in Council will be necessary to bring these provisions into force;
  • the addition of a new personal leave of five days (including three days with pay) that can be used by parents to attend to any urgent matter concerning their family members, including following the death of their child or a pregnancy loss;
  • the enhancement of medical leave without pay from 17 weeks to 27 weeks to align with the extension of EI sickness benefits, and entitling employees to earn and take up to 10 days of medical leave with pay per year; and,
  • the introduction of a right to request flexible work arrangements, which can help employees to cope with the death of their child by allowing them to formally request a change to the terms and conditions of their employment related to the number of hours they work, their work schedule, and the location of their work.
In addition, as announced in Budget 2023, the Government is committed to amend the Code to create a new stand-alone leave for employees who experience a pregnancy loss. This new leave will provide employees with time to begin their physical and emotional recovery without risk of losing their job or forfeiting income security.Building a modernized EI program remains an important part of the Government’s commitment to support workers. Work is underway to modernize the program, informed by the feedback received from individuals and stakeholders through substantive consultations held through 2021 and 2022, as well as changing economic conditions so that Canadians continue to be supported.Once again, the Government wishes to thank the petitioners.  Their views will be taken into consideration in our ongoing efforts to improve the EI program.
Deaths and funeralsEmployment insuranceInfantsLeave from work
44th Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 19, 2023e-4285e-4285 (Health)SalomeLopesKevinVuongSpadina—Fort YorkIndependentONApril 20, 2023, at 10:31 a.m. (EDT)July 19, 2023, at 10:31 a.m. (EDT)July 19, 2023Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The COVID-19 pandemic has exhibited significant gaps in our healthcare system in terms of protocols staff are expected to follow once a patient dies;Failure to cover the body of a deceased and the handling of their body after death has devastating long lasting repercussions to the deceased family;All Canadians expect to have their basic human rights upheld including at the time of death and thereafter;All human life should be honored and treated with dignity from conception to and including death;Witnessing death can lead to feelings of distress and guilt;Repeated exposure to death can lead to secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue; andAfter a patient passes (as immediately as possible), anyone on the team may initiate "The Medical Pause".We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada 1. To immediately implement "The Medical Pause" into our hospitals and long-term care facilities; 2. To ensure "The Medical Pause" is posted in every patient's room; and3. To protect dignity of all human life from conception to death and thereafter.Deaths and funeralsHealth care system44th Parliament220CertifiedMay 30, 2023e-4377e-4377 (Employment and labour)SarahCormierBlakeRichardsBanff—AirdrieConservativeABMarch 31, 2023, at 3:23 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2023, at 3:23 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2023Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Parents who experience the loss of a child are often left without financial support or job security while they are grieving;Motion 110 (42-1) called on the Government of Canada to improve the compassion and support offered to grieving parents by the federal government;The House of Commons passed Motion 110 (42-1) unanimously;The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities undertook a study on Motion 110 (42-1);The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities tabled a report entitled Supporting Families After the Loss of a Child, which contained seven key recommendations to improve the compassion and support offered to grieving parents by the federal government;The signatories of this petition recognize the announcement by the Government of Canada of their intention to implement some of these recommendations in the 2023 Federal Budget; andThe Government of Canada has still not implemented all of the recommendations in the report.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: Implement a bereavement benefit for all grieving parents of pregnancy and infant loss; andImplement all seven of the recommendations contained within the report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled Supporting Families After the Loss of a Child.Deaths and funeralsEmployment insuranceInfantsLeave from work44th Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 17, 2022e-3589e-3589 (Social affairs and equality)Sandra PatriciaEscalera GonzalezJoëlLightboundLouis-HébertLiberalQCOctober 19, 2021, at 10:02 a.m. (EDT)December 18, 2021, at 10:02 a.m. (EDT)May 20, 2022August 17, 2022December 20, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214329" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of National Revenue</Addressee>Whereas:The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is designated to help families with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age;Around 5.1 per 1,000 children under 18 years of age die every year in Canada from different causes;Losing a child generates unexpected monetary expenses for grieving families, most of whom had been already struggling with the cost of caring for a seriously ill child;The funeral and burial costs for a child should be considered as part of the costs associated with raising the deceased child;Funeral costs, as well as other expenses associated with death, can be significant and there is no public program to help families to cover said expenses when a child dies;It would be in line with the spirit of the CCB program to continue providing payments for two months after the death of a child to help with the burden of funeral costs; andThe limited extension of the CCB after the death of a child would not represent an excessive burden in the public budget, as the cost would be greatly offset by the benefit this would represent for grieving families.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of National Revenue to immediately act to modify the rules of operation of the Canada Child Benefit to continue CCB payments for two months after the death of a child under 18 years old.
Response by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of FinanceSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Chrystia FreelandThe loss of a child is an extremely sad and difficult time for families and the Government of Canada provides support to families caring for their sick or injured child, or who find themselves in this very tragic situation of having lost a child, through various programs. For example:
  • Employment Insurance (EI) family caregiver benefits for children provide up to 35 weeks of income support to workers who are unable to work to take care of a child who is critically ill or injured;
  • EI compassionate care benefits provide up to 26 weeks of income support to workers who are unable to work when they have to take care of a person who requires end-of-life care;
  • EI sickness benefits are available to eligible parents when they are unable to work due to emotional or psychological distress, including grieving, and is available for up to 15 weeks when they need time off work following the death of their child; and
  • EI maternity benefits continue to be payable following the loss of a child, as they are designed to support a birth mother’s physical and emotional recovery for up to 15 weeks surrounding childbirth.
The Government of Canada also provides support through the Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime for parents or legal guardians who have taken time away from work and suffered a loss of income to cope with the death or disappearance of their child or children. The benefit provides eligible parents with payments of $450 per week, paid every 2 weeks, for a maximum of 35 weeks over a period of 2 years.The death or disappearance of a child is devastating and can often leave parents grief stricken and unable to work. The Government of Canada will continue to ensure appropriate support is provided to grieving families.
Benefits for childrenChildrenDeaths and funerals