Feds planning new parental benefit

'This means an extra $7,000 in help for the average family claiming the new leave'

Feds planning new parental benefit

Parents who adopt or welcome new family members via surrogates will soon be able to take some paid time off work, thanks to a new program from the federal government.

Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Carla Qualtrough, who spoke to CTV News, said the 15-week benefit will be offered for those who wish to bring in new members of the family via surrogacy or adoption.

“It’s a matter of equity. We need to make sure people bond and we heard that very loudly during our consultations on EI modernization that parents want this and we are going to deliver it for them,” says Qualtrough.

The promise was made during the 2019 election but hasn’t yet been implemented, according to CTV.

Currently, parents are able to take 35 weeks of leave from employment or both parents can share up to 40 weeks. There is also another 15 weeks offered for those who physically give birth.

“This means an extra $7,000 in help for the average family claiming the new adoptive leave,” said the Liberal party platform before the 2019 election.

More cash on table

Also being considered are more money being offered to prospective parents, says Qualtrough to CTV during an interview — but no numbers were offered.

“Absolutely all of that is on the table. All of this is in the mix in terms of a modern approach is a lot more equitable, particularly for women,” she says.

Burnout is something that affects many parents today with all of the current stressors, according to an expert, and it is being felt by many inside the workplace.

The federal budget is expected to be tabled on March 28 but it’s not known if these new measures will be part of that, according to CTV.

“I will not scoop the Finance Minister but I can just say in the coming months and leave it at that,” says Qualtrough.

Latest stories