The federal government is making some key changes to the rules governing parental leave in Canada. Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jean-Yves Duclos made the announcement yesterday in Ottawa, confirming that the updated rules will come into effect on December 3 2017.
New parents will be able to choose between 12 months or 18 months of combined maternity and parental leave. If they choose 12 months, the system will mostly remain the same. New birth moms and surrogates will still be eligible for 15 weeks of maternity benefits, with federal employment insurance providing them with 55% of their average weekly salary (up to a maximum $543 a week). After those 15 weeks of maternity leave, any parent or caregiver opting for the old 12-month system can take 35 additional weeks of parental leave.
Furthermore, pregnant women can start claiming the maternity benefit 12 weeks prior to their due date, up from the current eight weeks. To be eligible for maternity and/or parental benefits, you must have worked 600 insurable hours in the 52 weeks leading up to your claim.
What do you think of the new parental leave rules?
I like that it is a combined leave. It gives equal rights to the mother and father.
When some countries offer better maternity support to help mothers, they often backfired because employers end up being reluctant to hire all women at fertile age. This new law could reduce that problem.
This part is not new. Currently either parent can use the leave after the baby is born.
I only wonder what our country has to give up for this benefit. The cost will be unbelievable. Where will the money come from
I just wonder what other benefits will suffer o provied this.