The British Columbia government has proposed changes to the province’s Employment Standards Act to allow up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave each year for people facing a “catastrophic” illness or injury.

Premier David Eby told a news conference in Victoria that the change would take effect this fall if the bill is passed by his New Democrat majority government.

The leave would ensure people undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy could take the time they need without being forced to choose between focusing on their health or their job, Eby said on Monday.

“It’s hard to imagine anything more challenging or awful than facing a diagnosis of a major, catastrophic health issue like this,” Eby said. “But knowing your job will be there when you’re completing treatment, when you’re able to return

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