On March 18, 2026, the government of New Brunswick introduced Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act. If passed, this will allow employees with a serious medical condition to take up to 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave (in a 52-week period). Key details include the following:
- Employees must have at least 90 continuous days of employment with their employer;
- The leave can extend up to 27 weeks (in a 52-week period) and must be taken in periods of at least one week in duration;
- The employee must advise the employer of each period of leave the employee intends to take if the leave is taken over multiple periods; and
- A certificate from a qualified health professional stating that the employee is incapable of working due to illness or injury.
If passed, employers in NB should update their leave policies/collective agreements to align with this new regulation, which will provide employees with sufficient time to recover from serious health conditions without the risk of job loss.