British Columbia and Alberta are the latest provinces to move to
a 27‑week, job‑protected illness / sick leave. With
Bill 30 receiving Royal Assent on November 27, 2025, B.C.
implemented the 27‑week leave, a significant change that
follows similar reforms already adopted in many other provinces.
Alberta continued the trend by announcing similar changes to its
employment standards legislation effective January 1, 2026.
These developments come amid a broader recalibration of
Canada's sick‑leave framework, following the federal
extension of Employment Insurance sickness benefits and provincial
efforts to align with that federal standard. This change signals
continued momentum in long‑term medical leave and requires
employers to update their policies, tracking systems and
disability-management practices to remain compliant and manage
extended absences effectively.
