First-time mother Celia Johnston was eagerly anticipating her return to work following her maternity and parental leave. Expressing her excitement to resume a sense of purpose beyond motherhood, Johnston, residing in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region near Montreal, had been employed as a project manager in e-learning prior to her leave.
However, just a week before her planned return on October 12, Johnston received a call from her employer informing her that her position had been eliminated due to financial difficulties within the company. This news evoked a range of emotions in Johnston, including panic, shock, and fear. Despite applying for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits promptly, it took two months and multiple phone calls before she discovered her claim had been rejected due to insufficient qualifying work hours.
Mouvement Action Chômage (MAC) de Montréal, an advocacy group advocating for the rights of the unemployed, emphasized that Johnston’s experience is not uncommon, receiving similar inquiries weekly. The group has been actively campaigning to amend the Employment Insurance Act, which they argue discriminates against individuals on maternity and parental leave.
MAC de Montréal highlighted a case in 2018 where six Quebec mothers, laid off during or shortly after their maternity leaves, challenged the Employment Insurance Act’s provisions. Despite a favorable ruling initially, the decision was later overturned on appeal by the Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC). Currently, the case is under consideration in the Federal Court of Appeal, with potential future escalation to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Additionally, MAC de Montréal launched a campaign and petition urging amendments to the Employment Insurance Act, allowing for more extended benefit accumulation beyond the current 50-week limit for maternity leave scenarios. NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice introduced a bill proposing these changes in the House of Commons, emphasizing the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the proposed amendments.
While awaiting a resolution, Johnston submitted an appeal form to Service Canada after being denied benefits, highlighting the financial vulnerability faced by new mothers during such circumstances. She emphasized the challenges faced by mothers in similar situations, not only in securing EI benefits but also in navigating job searches amidst resume gaps and childcare responsibilities.
Johnston expressed hope for broader systemic changes, calling attention to the need for improved support for mothers facing similar hardships in the workforce.
