There are few greater hardships than the death of a child.
There are few greater hardships than the death of a child.
The emotional pain and strain on the family aside, there are also the financial burdens that come with funeral and burial costs - something no couple should have to deal with during what should be a happy new beginning.
Last week, four families shared their devastating stories of loss with us. They recounted the terrible heartache they felt as well as being left financially stranded by a system that cuts off parental support to parents whose infants die before 12 months old.
For many families, especially those in mid- to low-income ranges, while having a baby is a joyous occasion, it can also be financially difficult.
According to the Government of Canada, the basic rate for calculating EI benefits for most people is 55 per cent of their average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum amount. As of Jan. 1, 2016, the maximum yearly insurable earnings amount was $50,800.
That means even for people earning above $100,000 annually, the maximum benefit is $537 per week, and that would be substantially lower for those making in the $45,000 range - the median individual salary in Alberta.
Depending on the other adult in the household's salary - assuming there is one - that is not a lot of money, especially when you factor in the costs associated with a new baby.
If an infant dies before its first birthday, families automatically lose those meager benefits and then have to worry about end-of-life costs. It is also no surprise that parents would need time off work to deal with the emotional trauma associated with an infant's death.
MP Blake Richards has come forward with a private members motion aimed at helping families through such a difficult time. His motion would move the government toward extending parental benefits beyond an infant's death for a minimum of six weeks.
Jennifer Snelgrove, a Cochrane mother who has had two children die before 12 months, said the motion is welcome news. She added such a policy would have been helpful she and her family coped with their tragedy.
“The ability to spend time dealing with our grief, spending time seeking help and working through our new ‘normals' without worrying about the financial pressure of having to be thrust back into the work place is a wonderful opportunity for parents, ” she said.
It's a common sense attitude that should have been a no-brainer for government long before now.
It's hard to conceive of a reason that all members of government would not support such a motion to help bring some relief to parents in what is definitely their gravest hour.
