Human Resources Legislative Update
Certain Sections of Helping Families in Need Act Proclaimed into Force
Date: March 13, 2013
Sections 15, 16 and 21 of the Helping Families in Need Act (“Act”) have been proclaimed into force effective March 24, 2013.
Sections 15 and 16 amend the Employment Insurance Act (“EI Act”) to allow insured and self-employed persons who are in receipt of employment insurance (“EI”) parental benefits to qualify for EI sickness benefits should they become ill or are injured while on parental benefits, even though they are not available for work. Section 16 of the Act amends the EI Act to ensure that, regardless of the reason a claimant stopped working, if the claimant is in receipt of any sickness benefits under a provincial law due to illness, injury or quarantine, the EI benefits payable shall be reduced or eliminated as prescribed.
Regulations giving support to these amendments have been registered. Regulations Amending the Employment Insurance Regulations come into force on March 24, 2013. Regulations Amending the Employment Insurance (Fishing) Regulations should be consulted for coming into force information.
