Release
Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
March 18, 2026
FREDERICTON (GNB) – The government has introduced legislation that, if passed, would allow for up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave for illness and injury recovery.
The current legislation guarantees five days of job-protected leave for an employee’s illness or injury in a 52-week period. Other provinces and federally regulated workplaces offer either 26 or 27 weeks of protected leave for illness and recovery.
“No one should have to put their health at risk because they fear losing their job,” said Alyson Townsend, minister responsible for labour.
The Employment Standards Act provides for the minimum conditions of employment in the province. It covers areas such as minimum wage, overtime pay, weekly rest period, paid public holidays and various leaves.
Although the act establishes minimum standards in many areas, employers and employees are free to exceed those minimums. Jobs that hold most closely to the minimum standards are typically occupied by the most vulnerable people, including women, youth, those with disabilities, and foreign and older workers.
“There are already enough challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, and worrying about whether your job will be there when treatment is done shouldn’t be one of them,” said Stuart Edmonds, executive vice-president of mission, research and advocacy with the Canadian Cancer Society. “By expanding job protection for people facing serious illnesses to 27 weeks, the government of New Brunswick is showing strong, compassionate leadership. This is a critical step forward, reflecting growing momentum across Canada to better support people living with cancer so they can focus on recovery without fear of job loss.”
“We are ensuring hard-working New Brunswickers, many of the most vulnerable employees in New Brunswick, have their jobs protected when it comes to taking time to recover from illness or injury,” said Townsend.
18-03-26
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Media Contact(s)
Rebecca Howland, communications, Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, [email protected].