Changes to Employment Standards Act take effect

Family-friendly amendments to the Employment Standards Act passed during the 2018 fall legislative session will come into effect on Saturday, December 29, 2018.

Changes to the act include:
•    Extended parental leave from 12 months to 18 months to align with the federal employment insurance changes;
•    Extended compassionate care leave from 8 weeks to 28 weeks; 
•    Reduced qualifying period for an employee to receive sick leave from 6 months to 3 months. 

Government received feedback from Islanders on the amendments through consultation last summer. 

“Our workforce is changing and our employment standards need to evolve with it,” said Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Sonny Gallant. “Thank you to everyone who provided their input, together we are continuing to create healthy and supportive workplaces in Prince Edward Island.”

With these changes, PEI is more closely aligned with the federal employment insurance benefits as well as all other provinces.

More information on the amendments to the Employment Standards Act is available at peiemploymentstandards.ca

Media contact:
Hillary MacDonald
hpsmacdonald@gov.pe.ca