EDMONTON – Beginning Saturday, Albertans caring for gravely ill family members will now have job protection under a new provincial program.

Compassionate care leave provides Albertans with up to eight weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave from work to care for a loved one with a serious medical condition with a significant risk of death.

“I think it’s a wonderful step. It’s long overdue,” said Christine McCourt-Reid.

McCourt-Reid lost her husband to esophageal cancer in 2005. At the time, the couple had a young child and another on the way. McCourt-Reid made taking care of her husband her number one priority.

“Life was pretty overwhelming for us,” she explained Saturday. “Because we had a year and a half year old at home, we really did need to pull in support from extra family members, as well, to help out.”

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Christine McCourt-Reid looks at old photos of her husband. Shannon Greer, Global News

Now, Albertans can become that support for their loved ones without worrying about whether or not they’ll have a job to come back to.

“No one’s job should be in jeopardy when they take time off work to care for a loved one. Compassionate care leave supports families when they’re at their most vulnerable,” Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour said in a media release.

“I’m pleased to see compassionate care available in Alberta. Having job security will reduce stress for people who are dealing with an incredibly difficult time in their lives,” added Edmonton- South West MLA Matt Jeneroux.

Alberta is the last province in Canada to introduce compassionate care leave. It was brought forward by Jeneroux. He says after he finished university, his grandmother fell ill but his employer didn’t allow for leave.

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“For me, it was a difficult decision to make and I decided to stay at my job. And my grandma passed on and it’s something I still regret to this day.”

There are several stipulations people must follow. Employees taking the leave must have worked for their employer for at least 52 consecutive weeks to be eligible. Both full and part time employees are able to take compassionate care leave.

The eight-week leave may be split up into two separate periods, but must be taken within a 26-week period.

Six weeks of Employment Insurance benefits are available to some employees for compassionate care.

McCourt-Reid says there was a lot of value in being able to bring comfort to her husband during his last days, and is pleased others will now be able to do the same.

“It’s their greatest time of need, really. So to be able to be there for them and help them in anyway that they need, and to be able to come to terms with everything yourself, and have that time to say your proper goodbyes is really a wonderful, valued, treasured gift.”

For more information on the program, including what constitutes a ‘family member,’ visit the Government of Alberta’s website.

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With files from Shannon Greer, Global News.