Statement made on 29 April 2009 by Senator Sharon Carstairs (retired)
Hon. Sharon Carstairs:
Yesterday, honourable senators, I specifically asked the Leader of the Government in the Senate if she would speak to the minister responsible for EI about enlarging Compassionate Care Benefits to include gravely ill as well as dying Canadians. My understanding is that the Ricketts have been refused the compassionate care benefit because their son is not dying; he is just gravely ill.
On the basis of that assessment, will the minister now commit to raising this matter with the Minister of HRSD? Not only our report but many other reports have recommended that we have to change this benefit so that it includes not just dying Canadians but gravely ill Canadians.
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