During its first federal budget in March, the Liberal government demonstrated it recognizes the need to support carers in Canada’s workforce by committing to plans to make compassionate care benefits easier to access and more inclusive for those who provide care for seriously ill family members.
The announcement is long-awaited — according to a report released last year by the Employer Panel for Caregivers, more than six million Canadians or about 35 per cent of the workforce are providing informal care to a family member or friend.
Read: Government commits to improve compassionate care leave and parental leave benefits
Read: My Take: Childcare support welcome, but what about elder care?
Read: The business case for supporting carers in the workplace
Many advocacy groups have brought up the issue, including Carers UK, speaking at an event in Toronto on April 27 about the experience of British employers.
“These employers are doing it because it makes business sense…and actually, it affects their bottom line if they lose carers because they don’t provide them with the flexibility they need,” said Helena Herklots, chief executive at the not-for-profit organization.
This issue is the subject of Benefits Canada’s current online poll. Have your say: Should Canada do more to support workers who have caregiving responsibilities for sick or elderly family members?
Last week’s poll asked if investment by pension funds in Canadian infrastructure is the way to get needed projects built.
More than half (52 per cent) of respondents said no, asset recycling is essentially privatization that comes with significant costs and offers short-term financial gain.
More than a quarter (29 per cent) said yes, that investment by pension funds can help get projects built more quickly, while 19 per cent said that the issue requires more study.
Read: Liberals to ‘engage public pension plans’ as part of infrastructure boost