St. Catharines woman battling cancer advocates for better government benefits

A St. Catharines woman met with her MP Monday, and is looking to improve government benefits as she struggles financially after a breast cancer diagnosis last December.

Carol Lepp, 59, is looking to extend the Employment Insurance sickness benefits from 26 weeks to 45 weeks of coverage to help with expenses after her ongoing breast cancer treatment left her unable to work.

“There’s no way I will be able to make ends meet on what I’m bringing in,” Lepp said. “A week ago tomorrow was my last EI payment. I now will get my Canada Pension at the end of the month. It comes on Thursday and that’s just under $900 a month. That’s my only income.”

The EI sickness benefit was recently extended in December 2022 from 15 weeks up to 26 weeks.

St. Catharines MP, Chris Bittle, wouldn’t comment on this individual case for privacy reasons but he confirmed via email he voted in favour of extending the benefit last year.

“Give us a year to recuperate so we’re able to get strong enough to go back to work. This is all I’m asking. And he’s agreed to bring this to the Minister to vouch for change for myself and for others who are going through the same thing,” Lepp said.

READ MORE: St. Catharines woman’s cancer left her struggling financially

A spokesperson for Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough said in a statement, “The Government of Canada has made progressive changes to the EI system since 2015.”

“We will continue to work to ensure that EI benefits are fairer, more responsive, and more adaptable to the needs of Canadians and the evolving workforce.”

Donna Sheehan from the Breast Cancer Support Fund said, “That would be very beneficial. I’m not sure if that would be coming soon. It took a long time for the federal government to make this change to the policy but it was so needed. It was very inadequate.”

“What’s a very common part of the conversation with breast cancer patients is the financial crisis that happens with a breast cancer diagnosis is actually much more stressful than the diagnosis and treatment,” said Sheehan.

Lepp still has more treatment to go but says advocating for change to hopefully help others gives her a purpose.

A GoFundMe page set up for Lepp has nearly reached its goal of $15,000. It will continue to help cover her bills after immunotherapy, radiation and reconstructive surgery next month.