Government of Canada Extends EI Sickness Benefits to 26 Weeks

On November 25, 2022, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced the permanent extension of EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks beginning on December 18, 2022. Individuals who qualify and establish a new claim on or after December 18, 2022, will be able to receive up to 26 weeks of EI sickness benefits if they are sick and require this time to recover. EI sickness benefits are paid at 55% of the applicant’s average weekly insurable earnings, up to a maximum entitlement of $638 for 2022.

To align with this change, the maximum length of unpaid medical leave available to federally regulated private-sector employees will also be increased from 17 to 27 weeks under the Canada Labour Code. This change will come into effect on December 18, 2022, and will ensure that employees have the right to take unpaid job-protected leave while receiving the extended EI sickness benefits.

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