New Brunswick Enacts 26-Week Medical Leave, Completing Job Protection Across All 10 Provinces
Updated
Updated · westcentralonline.com · Jun 21
New Brunswick Enacts 26-Week Medical Leave, Completing Job Protection Across All 10 Provinces
1 articles · Updated · westcentralonline.com · Jun 21
Summary
June 12 Royal Assent in New Brunswick made it the last province to adopt extended job-protected medical leave, giving workers facing serious illness access to such protection across Canada’s 10 provinces.
The change aligns provincial leave with expanded federal Employment Insurance sickness benefits, which rose to 26 weeks in December 2022 after years of advocacy by the Canadian Cancer Society and patients.
All 10 provinces now offer 26 to 27 weeks of job-protected leave, allowing employees to undergo treatment and recovery without losing their jobs.
A 2024 Canadian Cancer Society report estimated average lifetime cancer-related costs at nearly C$33,000, underscoring why the group says job protection can ease financial strain during treatment.
The society called the provincial milestone a major step but said its next push is for similar protections in Canada’s territories.
With jobs now protected, are sick Canadians simply trading the fear of being fired for the reality of financial ruin?
As new leave laws protect workers, are Canada's small businesses being left to shoulder the hidden costs alone?
New Brunswick’s 27-Week Medical Leave: Landmark Expansion of Job Protection and Pay Transparency Reforms
Overview
New Brunswick has enacted a major legislative change, expanding job-protected unpaid medical leave from just 5 days to 27 weeks, effective June 12, 2026. This new law allows employees to take extended time off to recover from serious illness or injury without worrying about losing their jobs, creating a stronger safety net for working-age individuals. The change has been widely praised by advocacy groups like the Canadian Cancer Society, who see it as an important milestone. For patients, this law brings peace of mind, letting them focus on their health and recovery instead of fearing job loss.