Bill 21 provides unpaid job-protected leave to caregivers throughout Ontario. Up to 8 weeks of leave will be available to caregivers of someone with a serious medical condition, and up to 37 weeks for caregivers of a critically ill child. The Ontario Caregiver Coalition worked very hard over the last year to help get this new law passed. Caregiver Matters is proud to be a member of The Ontario Caregiver Coalition. Here is the official government announcement.
Ontario Government Strengthens Job Security for Families – Bill 21
April 29, 2014 12:20 p.m.
Ministry of Labour
Today, Bill 21, the Employment Standards Amendments Act (Leaves to Help Families), 2014, passed third reading with all party support in the Ontario legislature. The legislation will allow caregivers to focus their attention on what matters most — providing care to their loved ones — without the fear of losing their job.
The new legislation — the sixteenth government bill to pass since February 2013 — builds on the existing Family Medical Leave by creating three new job-protected leaves:
•Family Caregiver Leave: up to eight weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for employees to provide care or support to a family member with a serious medical condition.
•Critically Ill Child Care Leave: up to 37 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to provide care to a critically ill child.
•Crime-Related Child Death or Disappearance Leave: up to 52 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for parents of a missing child and up to 104 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for parents of a child who has died as a result of a crime.
Supporting family caregivers is part of the government’s economic plan that is creating jobs for today and tomorrow. The comprehensive plan and its six priorities focus on Ontario’s greatest strengths — its people and strategic partnerships.
Quick Facts
•A doctor’s note would be required to qualify for Family Caregiver Leave and Critically Ill Child Care Leave.
•The Critically Ill Child Care Leave and Crime-Related Child Death and Disappearance Leave are necessary to give families access to new Federal benefits.