Federal government considering new parental benefits options

young parents

Have you recently welcomed a child into your life? The Canadian government is currently considering making benefits for eligible new parents a little more flexible, and is asking for input from the public on two different options:

  1. Allowing combined maternity and parental benefits and unpaid leaves to be extended to up to 18 months at a lower EI benefit rate (more time off work, with less money per month)
  2. Allowing the current amount of parental benefits and unpaid leave to be taken in smaller blocks of time over a period of up to 18 months rather than over 12 months.

Have a read of this discussion paper and then weigh in on the topic here.