OTTAWA, ON, June 17, 2010 – Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Pierre Poilievre, is pleased that Bill C-13, the legislation which facilitates access to Employment Insurance (EI) parental benefits for military families has passed through the House of Commons on Wednesday, June 16th. The issue was first raised after a chance meeting with one of his constituents who serves in the Canadian Forces.

“It is rewarding to have worked with the Duquettes to bring fairness for military families. It shows that when we work together, we can get results,” Poilievre said.

The new measure extends the EI parental benefit window for Canadian Forces members who are ordered to return to duty while on parental leave or whose parental leave is deferred as a result of a military requirement. The measure will extend the period in which they are eligible by up to 52 weeks, for a total of up to 104 weeks to allow these individuals to access part or all of the 35 weeks of EI parental benefits that are available to them.

This is the latest in a series of improvements the Government has already made to ensure fairness in the EI program, and to ensure that EI continues to help people better adjust to labour market changes and to balance work and family responsibilities.

For further information, please contact:

Sally Harris
Office of Pierre Poilievre, M.P. Nepean-Carleton