The Government recognizes the important contribution of Canadian Forces members to Canada and their service to our country.  These brave men and women put their lives on the line for our country, and our government is proud to stand behind them and support them.  Canada has an obligation to ensure that these men and women have access to the programs and services they need.  Extending the eligibility window for access to Employment Insurance (EI) parental benefit for military families is the fair and right thing to do.  It is also good family policy.

This Government, like all Canadians, supports Canadian Forces members, and their families.  Canadians have proven themselves among the bravest, most skilled and most successful soldiers, sailors, and airmen and women on earth.  Canadian Forces members serving under vital and often challenging military operations are unable to take parental leave during their assignment.

As announced in our Jobs and Growth Budget, this new measure would extend the EI parental benefit window for Canadian Forces members who are ordered to return to duty while on parental leave or whose parental leave is deferred as a result of a military requirement.  Currently, parental benefits must be taken within a year of a child's birth.  This measure would extend the period by another 52 weeks. 

Our Government is also taking steps to make it easier to access EI sickness benefits for immediate family of military personnel who have died as the result of a service-related injury.  This would provide recognition of the impact on family members of losing a loved one in service.

This is the latest in a series of improvements the Government has already made to ensure fairness in the EI program, and to ensure that EI continues to help people better adjust to labour market changes and to balance work and family responsibilities.

Additional information regarding this measure can be accessed at this web link: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2010/plan/chap3d-eng.html