RE Group - PIPSC Resolution 2 - 2019

Resolution for endorsement to PIPSC AGM #2

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the RE Group endorse the following motion for submission to the PIPSC AGM:

“WHEREAS the partner/spouse of a member may not always be physically or mentally capable of acting as a sole caregiver; and

WHEREAS introduction of the Parental Sharing Benefit will increase the likelihood that a member will be on parental leave at the same time as their spouse; and

WHEREAS the PIPSC Family Care Policy currently does not acknowledge that even if the other caregiver is home, the member may be providing essential elements of care,

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Eligibility section of the PIPSC Family Care Policy have the following clause added: ‘Where the spouse/partner of the member is temporarily incapacitated, and the member is on authorized leave from work and providing care to the spouse/partner and one or more children, resulting expenses not ordinarily incurred for a caregiver may be submitted’.”

Commentary

This motion is based on a review of the newly issues PIPSC Family Care Policy, and the experience of one of our Group Executives in an exceptional situation.  As currently written, if the member’s spouse/partner is experiencing post birth complications such that they cannot manage child care on their own, there is no provision for the member to claim additional child or family care expenses. 

This is likely to be increasingly common concern as non-birth parents will be eligible to receive five weeks of “use it or lose it” Employment Insurance.  Whereas in the past a birth parent recovering from

C-section, suffering from post-partum depression, or otherwise temporarily incapacitated, may have brought in an outside family member or other child care option to cope with the first few weeks after birth, increasingly there will be an expectation that the non-birth parent will be home and providing care to both birth parent and child. If such a member is required to attend a PIPSC meeting, they will therefore need to arrange alternate child or family care at increased costs.

Note that in most of these situations the member will be on EI/Supplementary Benefit, so will not be eligible for salary replacement - making their participation in PIPSC activities less expensive, even considering claims for care.