Update On The Incoming Paid Medical Leave Under The Canada Labour Code

Federally regulated employers should be aware that amendments to the medical leave provisions of the Canada Labour Code are set to come into force on or before December 1, 2022. As set out below, we have clarified with Employment and Social Development Canada that these provisions will apply to all federally regulated employers, not just those with over 100 employees.

Under the new provisions, employees with 30 days of continuous employment are entitled to three days of paid medical leave of absence. Following that period, they may accrue one day of paid medical leave per month of continuous employment.

Note that the maximum paid medical leave an employee may earn is 10 days per calendar year. Among other things, this leave may be taken in one or more periods and must be paid at the employee's regular rate of wages for their normal hours of work.