It’s been a priority for CARP – A New Vision of Aging, an employment insurance expansion that provides up to 15 weeks of EI coverage for caregivers who provide care to a critically ill or injured adult family member. This time can be added to the 26 weeks allowable for caring for terminally ill loved ones if the critically ill patient’s condition worsens.

“This new employment insurance benefit will make a difference for all of those Canadians who work hard and who must also take care of a loved one,” said Federal Families Minister Jean-Yves Duclos who announced the new benefit Thursday, in addition to a provision which allows new moms and dads to spread their parental leave over 18 months from the current 12. The changes take effect December 3rd.

But CARP members continue to push for more caregiver benefits. While pleased that CARP’s call for the expansion of EI has been implemented, the Zoomer advocacy group says the Family Caregiver Tax should be available to all caregivers. Right now, caregivers are only entitled to this benefit if they are paying taxes. CARP members say relief should also be available to caregivers who don’t pay taxes through a rebate, allowance or credit.