Canadians Need a Medium-Term Sickness/Disability Income Benefit

This paper focuses upon a serious weakness in Canada’s income security system.  There is a major gap in social insurance coverage for millions of Canadians whose work and earnings are interrupted on a temporary or recurring basis because of illness or disability. This paper examines the current relationship between Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits, and explores possibilities for stronger linkages between these programs.  Various options for a medium-term sickness/disability income benefit are considered along with their respective strengths and weaknesses.

ISBN – 1-55382-271-4