British Columbia Proposes 27-Week Job-Protected Medical Leave

The Government of British Columbia introduced legislation on October 20, 2025, to amend the Employment Standards Act, providing workers with up to 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected medical leave within a 12-month period. The amendment targets employees unable to work for at least one week due to catastrophic illness, chronic conditions, serious injuries, or recovery from intimate partner violence. This leave can be taken in multiple periods rather than a single continuous block.

Premier David Eby stated the measure ensures workers do not have to choose between their health and their employment while helping employers retain skilled talent. The legislation formally integrates protections already found in the B.C. Human Rights Code into employment legislation to address existing gaps in long-term job protection during health crises.

Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside noted the bill was developed alongside advocacy groups to support those facing life-altering diagnoses, specifically citing the approximately 31,000 people diagnosed with cancer in the province annually. If passed by the New Democrat majority government, the changes would take effect in fall 2025, aligning British Columbia's standards with federal regulations and those of other provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia.