Expanded parental leave for new Canadian parents comes into effect this December

Nov 11 2017, 12:06 am

Expecting parents who are preparing to begin their parental leave will now be able to use their federal benefits over a much longer period beginning next month.

According to Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jean-Yves Duclos, beginning December 3, 2017 parents of a newborn or newly adopted child will be able to choose from two parental benefit options giving them more flexibility when it comes to raising their newborn.

The first option will be to combine parental and maternity benefits at the current rate of 55 per cent for a period of up to 12 months.

The second option will be to extend parental and maternity benefits over 18 months at a rate corresponding to 33 per cent of the average weekly income.

Eligible soon-to-be-mothers will also now be able to claim maternity benefits up to 12 weeks before the baby is due.

In addition to this, the federal government is also now offering more choice and flexibility for families and caregivers with a new set of benefits that will also kick in on December 3 – allowing Canadians to support their loved ones when they need it most.

Now caregivers will have the option to choose from a 15-week leave to care for a critically ill or injured adult, or they can choose from a 35-week benefit option to care for a critically ill or injured child.

These new benefit options are part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to support parents and family caregivers with EI benefits that are more flexible, inclusive and easier to access.

You can read the full break down of each of the new maternity/parental benefits and caregiving benefits here.

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