Celia Johnston, a mother from Montreal, faced unexpected challenges upon trying to return to work after her maternity leave last fall. Despite diligently paying into the Employment Insurance (EI) program throughout her career, she was left without a job and denied EI benefits when she needed them most.
Johnston’s case is not uncommon, as highlighted by Fanny Labelle of Montreal’s Mouvement Action-Chômage. The group has been advocating for reform of EI policies, citing the struggles faced by mothers like Johnston who are left in financial vulnerability due to gaps in the system.
The current EI rules pose a significant hurdle for parents in Quebec, where the 50-week cap on benefits can leave laid-off mothers without the support they expected. This policy gap has pushed advocacy groups to take legal action, with Johnston and five other mothers challenging the system in federal court.
Mouvement Action-Chômage is calling for changes to EI regulations, specifically seeking the removal of the 50-week cap and an extension of the benefit period to accommodate situations where maternity and parental leaves lead to job loss.
Johnston expressed her frustration at feeling abandoned by a system that she had relied on for financial security. Despite recent improvements to the EI program, there remains a pressing need for further reforms to better support working parents facing unforeseen circumstances.
