Many families expected to stick with 12 months of parental leave benefits, minister says
The newly extended parental leave benefits announced this week is touted as a great choice for Canadian parents, but Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos admits the option won't be for everyone.
"It's a matter of flexibility, it's a matter of family choice. We want families to make the best decision possible," Duclos told The House.
The extended benefits announced last week will come into effect on Dec. 3, 2017. The revised program will allow parents to choose whether to keep 12 months of employment insurance benefits, or spread that same amount of money over 18 months.
Critics argue not everyone who wants to stay home longer with a newborn or newly adopted child can afford because the monthly benefit payments will be too low.
Expanded parental leave, new caregiver benefit, to come into effect Dec. 3, as questions remain
Duclos says the aim of the new program is to provide parents with flexibility. He understands not everyone can afford to stay home for a year and half.
"And that's alright, because in that case they should be choosing that [12 month] option. I expect many families will do that," Duclos said.
"We expect 20,000 families to want to choose the more flexible 18 month approach. But the other families will maintain their choice of the 12 month approach."
And for those families who need to return to work more quickly, availability of affordable childcare remains a big issue, he said.
"We've announced a $7.5 billion investment over the next 10 years to increase the availability and the quality and affordability of childcare services everywhere in Canada," Duclos said.
But availability of spaces "will remain a challenge for some time until our investments make a real impact in many places in Canada."