Canada needs paid caregiver leave

When a Canadian woman has a child, she is entitled to at least 15 weeks of paid time off to care for her newborn. But if an individual falls ill, and a family member has to provide care, paid leave from work is nearly unheard of.

Jovana Sibalija, a Summer Research Analyst and blogger at the Ivey International Centre for Health Innovation, calls for paid caregiver leave in Canada.

“Paid caregiver leave should be provided to Canadian employees in order to enhance caregiver support and sustain the benefits caregivers bring, not only to their loved ones, but to Canada’s workforce and healthcare system at large,” Sibalija writes.