SoVote

Bill C-211

44th Parl. 1st Sess.

December 13, 2021

Bill C-211 is a proposed amendment to the Canada Labour Code that would change the rules around bereavement leave. Currently, employees are entitled to a leave of absence from work for up to 10 days in the event of the death of an immediate family member. This bill would extend this leave to include the death of a child under the age of 18 or a child for whom the employee can claim a caregiver credit under the Income Tax Act. Additionally, the bill would provide for a leave of absence in the event of the loss of an unborn child, including a stillbirth or miscarriage. The length of this leave would be up to eight weeks for a stillbirth or the death of a child, and three days for a miscarriage. The bill includes definitions for terms such as child, miscarriage, and stillbirth. This amendment aims to provide additional support and time off for employees who experience the death of a child or the loss of an unborn child.

A possible steelman argument in favor of Bill C-211 is as follows: This legislation recognizes the emotional and psychological impact of the death of a child or the loss of an unborn child on employees, and seeks to provide them with the necessary time and support to grieve and recover. The extension of bereavement leave from three days to up to eight weeks in the case of the death of a child or the loss of an unborn child acknowledges the unique and profound nature of these losses. Allowing employees this extended leave will provide them with the opportunity to attend to the practical and emotional aspects of the death or loss, such as funeral arrangements, healing, and counseling. This can contribute to their overall well-being and mental health, enabling them to eventually return to work in a more emotionally stable and productive state. Furthermore, this legislation recognizes the diversity of family structures and relationships

A steelman argument opposing the proposed amendment to the Canada Labour Code (bereavement leave) could be as follows: While it is important to recognize the emotional impact of the loss of a child or an unborn child, extending bereavement leave for such cases is not a necessary or practical solution. The proposed amendment would result in additional costs and logistical challenges for employers, which could have negative consequences for businesses and the economy as a whole. Firstly, implementing this amendment would require employers to provide additional leave for their employees, which may result in increased expenses. Small businesses, in particular, may struggle to cover the costs associated with hiring replacement employees or managing reduced productivity during the extended leave periods. Furthermore, the need for extended bereavement leave for the loss of an unborn child or a child under 18 years of age can vary significan