5A - Compassionate Care Leave (Addendum)

4.  Who is considered to be a "family member"?

The following classes of person are included in the definition of “family member” for compassionate care benefits:

(a)  a child of the individual’s parent or a child of the spouse or common-law partner of the individual’s parent;

(b)  a grandparent of the individual or of the individual’s spouse or common-law partner or the spouse or common-law partner of a grandparent of the individual;

(c)  a grandchild of the individual or of the individual’s spouse or common-law partner or the spouse or common-law partner of a grandchild of the individual;

(d)  the spouse or common-law partner of the individual’s child or of the child of the individual’s spouse or common-law partner;

(e)  a parent, or the spouse or common-law partner of a parent, of the individual’s spouse or common-law partner;

(f)  the spouse or common-law partner of a child of the individual’s parent or of a child of the spouse or common-law partner of the individual’s parent;

(g)  a child of a parent of the individual’s spouse or common-law partner or a child of the spouse or common-law partner of the parent of the individual’s spouse or common-law partner;

(h)  an uncle or aunt of the individual or of the individual’s spouse or common-law partner or the spouse or common-law partner of the individual’s uncle or aunt;

(i)  a nephew or niece of the individual or of the individual’s spouse or common-law partner or the spouse or common-law partner of the individual’s nephew or niece;

(j)  a current or former foster parent of the individual or of the individual’s spouse or common-law partner;

(k)  a current or former foster child of the individual or the spouse or common-law partner of a current or former foster child of the individual;

(l)  a current or former ward of the individual or of the individual’s spouse or common-law partner;

(m)  a current or former guardian or tutor of the individual or the spouse or common-law partner of the individual’s current or former guardian or tutor;

(n)  in the case of an individual who has the serious medical condition, a person whether or not related to the individual by blood, adoption, marriage or common-law partnership, whom the individual considers to be like a close relative;

this means that the person who has the serious medical condition may designate any individual who is not included in the definition of "family member" but who is considered to be like a close relative. This will allow the designated individual to claim compassionate care benefits; and

(o)  in the case of an individual who is the claimant, a person, whether or not related to the individual by blood, adoption, marriage or common-law partnership, who considers the individual to be like a close relative;

this means that any individual who is not listed in the definition of "family member", but who considers the person who has the serious medical condition to be like a close relative, may claim compassionate care benefits.

"Common law partner" means a person who is cohabiting with the individual in a conjugal relationship, having so cohabited for a period of at least one year.