An ROE is required when an employee experiences an interruption of earnings, such as 7 consecutive calendar days with no work and no insurable earnings (the “7-day rule”), or when earnings fall below 60% of regular weekly earnings for specific reasons (the “60% rule”). That means a 6-week unpaid leave (A) typically triggers an interruption of earnings, and a drop to 40% of normal earnings (B) meets the “below 60%” threshold (when due to the listed leave reasons). A layoff with no recall (D) also triggers an interruption of earnings under the 7-day rule.
However, Service Canada lists a special situation for a change in ownership: the former employer does not have to issue ROEs if (1) there is no actual break in the employee receiving earnings, and (2) payroll records are available to the new owner and the new owner agrees to issue a single ROE covering both periods if needed. That is exactly option C, so no ROE is required in that scenario.