Whereas Employment Insurance EI sickness benefits administered by the Government of Canada provide temporary income replacement for workers who are unable to work due to illness or injury, with benefits available for up to 26 weeks under the Employment Insurance Act; And whereas healthcare system wait times for diagnostic services, specialist consultations, and surgical procedures in Canada and British Columbia frequently extend for several months and, when combined with medically required recovery periods, may exceed the 26-week duration of Employment Insurance sickness benefits, particularly for residents of rural and northern communities who often face additional barriers to timely access to specialized medical care: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM and FCM urge the Government of Canada to review the duration and flexibility of Employment Insurance sickness benefits to better align with current medical treatment wait times and recovery periods, including consideration of mechanisms to extend benefits where treatment delays are beyond the control of the claimant.
