Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced new financial measures Friday for parents of children who are killed or missing due to a criminal act, in order to help them grieve and get their lives back on track without having to worry about paying the bills or losing their jobs.
Harper announced that parents who take time off work to cope with the death or disappearance of a child will receive up to $350 per week for up to 35 weeks.
Parents would need to have earned a minimum of $6,500 in the previous calendar year in order to qualify for the payments.
"This will not bring justice to them but it will contribute to giving the parents of the victims an opportunity to get their lives back under control," Harper said, speaking in French in Quebec.
In addition, he said, Canada's Labour Code will be amended to ensure that "employees of federally regulated companies can preserve their job security while they are on extended leave."
The federally regulated employees would have to be on unpaid leave from their employer in order to qualify for the $350 weekly stipend.
The Conservatives said they expect 1,000 families will benefit from the new measure each year.
more
Harper announces financial help for victims of crime | CTV Winnipeg
