OTTAWA — If the government was “sincere” about wanting to help families of crime victims, it would provide them with greater financial support, says a Bloc Quebecois MP.
France Bonsant, who represents the riding south of Sherbrooke, Que., wants to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Employment Insurance Act to make it easier for families of people killed by violence or suicide to qualify for Employment Insurance, and allow them to collect it for up to two years, whereas currently they are only allowed 15 weeks.
“If you go back to work after 15 weeks, you will get depressed,” Bonsant said Thursday. “But you do have to go back to work because bills start coming in ... That’s why it’s important to have a two year job guarantee so they can deal with what they are going through.”
Bonsant called on the Conservatives Thursday to support her private member’s bill that’s coming up for second reading.
Quebec cabinet minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said the government intends to help families of crime victims, but they intend to put their own “plan in place.”
Blackburn fired back at the Bloc in question period Thursday saying that party voted against “six or seven” measures the government introduced last year to help families of people victimized by crime.
If Bonsant’s bill passes second reading, a third and final vote would still be required.
bryn.weese@sunmedia.ca
