The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Toronto - An employment insurance program for people who leave work to tend to a sick or dying loved one could end up costing $1.5 billion a year, says Canada's human resources minister. But Joe Volpe, who officially unveiled Ottawa's new compassionate care benefit Tuesday, said he's confident the program will prove to be a sound investment. Canadian industry estimates that employees with sick or dying family members or spouses cost the economy some $2.4 billion in lost productivity each year. The compassionate care program allows anyone eligible for EI benefits with a dying or gravely ill spouse, parent or child to collect income support while caring or arranging care for their loved one. Ottawa - Finance Minister Ralph Goodale will warn his caucus colleagues this week that Christmas is over, so they shouldn't expect any gifts in the near future. Wolfville, N.S. - Prime Minister Paul Martin said Tuesday he will "act very rapidly" if a police investigation into organized crime in British Columbia finds links to his government. Martin was referring to speculation his senior campaign organizer in the province could be implicated. But the prime minister stressed that the scope of the probe remains unclear. Martin confirmed police have asked for certain e-mails from Mark Marissen, who works as the prime minister's campaign chairman in B.C.
