The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on March 12, 2026, to study Bill C-222, which would allow parents who lose a child to continue receiving maternity, paternity or parental benefits without interruption. The witnesses were Lily Hamill, a parent who lost her infant daughter; Sophie Meunier, a professor researching perinatal bereavement and return to work; Allison Venditti, a human resources professional; Francine deMontigny, a professor and researcher on perinatal grief; and Megan Fockler, a registered nurse and manager of a pregnancy and infant loss support network.
Lily Hamill testified that after her seven-and-a-half-month-old daughter Lyrica died, she had to navigate repaying a $300 debt to Service Canada and transition off maternity benefits while in early grief, calling the bureaucratic burden overwhelming. She noted that she and her husband were fortunate to have employer-provided short- and long-term disability coverage, but stressed that many families lack that option, and she supported Bill C-222 as a way to prevent similar experiences.
Sophie Meunier presented research showing that 20% to 25% of pregnancies end in perinatal death, and that 85% of mothers take leave afterward, with those who access dedicated maternity leave reporting better psychological well-being upon return to work. She recommended paid leave for all parents experiencing perinatal death, uninterrupted benefits for those already on leave, and noted that Quebec’s 18-week maternity leave for late perinatal deaths serves as a model, while emphasizing that fathers and partners are often overlooked and need inclusion in such measures.
Allison Venditti, drawing on 20 years of HR experience, described the difficulty of supporting grieving employees who must navigate switching from maternity to sickness benefits, including repeated reporting and paperwork. She argued that Bill C-222 would remove this bureaucratic burden for employers and employees alike, allowing HR professionals to focus on compassionate support rather than administrative hurdles, and she saw no need for amendments.
Francine deMontigny, with over 30 years of research, stated that one in four pregnancies ends in perinatal death and that grief symptoms are equally severe for early and late losses, with one in five women in her study reporting suicidal thoughts. She stressed that premature return to work leads to presenteeism, safety risks, and long-term mental health costs for parents and children, and recommended flexible leave that can be taken in segments, as well as a national awareness campaign and training for professionals to destigmatize perinatal loss.
Megan Fockler testified that families she supports through the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network face barriers such as having to go in person to Service Canada, receiving bills for benefits after a child’s death, and navigating complex systems while grieving. She recommended that Bill C-222 be passed with a royal recommendation, and that implementation include funding for resources, education, and training to ensure compassionate responses from professionals, noting that a national approach to support could be replicated from the PAIL Network model.
The committee heard from members who expressed broad support for the bill, with several noting that a royal recommendation from the government is required for it to proceed. No procedural debate, motions, or votes were recorded during this meeting.
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