Though we found out about this a week ago at least I haven’t said anything about it because I REALLY want it to work out and would be a bit dissapointed if it doesn’t…
Anyways.. here in Quebec we have gotten a new Maternity leave program. You may or may not know this but Canada has a year of paid Maternity for moms with some of that availible to dads.
However, Quebec has brought it even further starting in January this year…
First change, The Salary cap has risen from the 37000/year that Canada has, to 52000/year for quebec moms and dads. Also, the leave has been made into two programs availible for both employed and self-employed parents as long as they are making at least 2000$ a year.
Second change is that the Leave has been seperated into 3 parts… Maternal Leave, Paternal leave and Parental leave. The Maternal is the mom’s and cannot be shared with the dad, the paternal leave is the opposite and cannot be shared with the mom, the parental can be taken or shared by either.
Another change is that there are two programs availible when a baby is born. (there are also options for adoption)
Option A (longer leave with less money):
- Maternal:18 weeks at 70% of Salary,
- Paternal: 5 weeks at 70%,
- Parental: 7 weeks at 70% and then 25 weeks at 55%
Option B
- Maternal: 15 weeks at 75%
- Paternal: 3 weeks at 75%
- Parental: 25 weeks at 75%
Because we are a one Salary household and I am a SAHM we need the more money option and because I will not be using any of it, Simon will be able to take it all to himself if he chooses. (which of course he would love!)
The 25% less salary will make a difference but not by much when you take away the transportation costs (his bus pass is 200$ a month) and the bit more money that will be entering the house with the birth of another child…
So if all goes well, Simon will be able to take a 28 week leave!!!! (paternal + parental)
I can’t believe it! I can’t even imagine us being a full time family for almost 7 months! Being able to do things as a family. Being able to get things done around the house and spend time with the kids. Simon being able to see and experience the new baby to the fullest…
Keep your fingers crossed for us…
WOW!!! How awesome would that be??? Not being from Canada, I have a few questions on how this all works (maybe you have a link you can direct me to?) Who pays the benefits? Is it the employer or the government? Also – do employers hire temps to fill those spots while the person is on extended leave? Does Canada experience a lot of “letting people go” or “firings” so that employers don’t have to deal with paying the extended benefits and/or hiring longterm replacements? Is there are limit to how long you can collect? For example, some people have their DC’s a year apart. If timed correctly, could they end up with a full 2 years paid leave (in the full time working moms situation) or are they limited to a year before they have to go back to work.
I think this program is intriguing and would love to know how it works in real life versus “on paper” – kwim?
The Govn’t pays the benefits… the Job is protected by law and though the employer is not paying you still accumulate seniority, and have the insurance benefits etc…
Usually jobs will hire temps or part-timers to fill in the position. They of course will be out one employee for the time the parent is on leave and because they are not paying the person that is on leave, they have the funds to hire someone else during that time…
But, no, we don’t have a lot of employers letting people go because they are pregnant, furthermore their jobs are protected and will be waiting for them to return…
Also, even if you do lose your job for whatever reason you are still able to collect benefits if you worked the minimum within the year of the claim… so if you lose your job in July and a child is born in Sept then you still get the leave…
You have to accumulate at least 2000$ worth of insurable income to be allowed to get another leave. (or 600 hours under the Canadian plan) So some moms do time it so that they get pregnant before going back to work, work at least their minimum and then take another leave.
Here is a link to the Canadian Govn’t program: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ei/types/special.shtml&hs=tyt
Here is the Quebec program:
http://www.rqap.gouv.qc.ca/Index_en.asp
Wow, wow, wow! How wonderful is that?!?! I am so glad you have the opportunity to take advantage of a program like this. Sigh, if only the stupid gov’t down here in the states actually valued, um, well, anybody but themselves? 😉
Wow those are the best benefits in Canada!! I am lucky as my work gives me a top up, but wow that sounds fab! I hope it works out for you guys!!
Ali:)
Wow! The closest we ever came to being a full-time family were the couple of times my husband was unemployed for a few months at a time. It was fun, but also a little stressful — making ends meet on the unemployment checks, and husband having to spend every day job searching and getting discouraged. Those times didn’t coincide with the births of our daughters, but oh well. I hope your husband gets to do this!