Government increases EI parental benefit flexibility for adoptive parents

Parents will be eligible for benefits as soon as they take necessary steps to adopt the child in their care

Parents who adopt children in their care will be able to get employment insurance parental benefits, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Diane Finley announced.

In recognition that adoption programs vary by province and territory, parents will now be eligible for EI parental benefits as soon as they have taken the necessary steps to adopt the child in their care. This change brings the EI program in line with current adoption procedures, according to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

"Given everything we know about children and attachment, the best model of service we can currently provide is foster-to-adopt," said Rod Potgieter, executive director, Family and Children's Services, St. Thomas and Elgin in Ontario. “It is wonderful to see the model supported and encouraged by the federal government through parental leave benefits."

Parental benefits under the EI program are provided to parents who qualify to take time away from work to bond with their newborn or newly adopted child or children. A maximum of 35 weeks of parental benefits is available to biological or adoptive parents.


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