Liberals to consult on promises of parental leave, compassionate care benefits
OTTAWA — The federal minister in charge of employment insurance says he wants to hear from Canadians before making any changes to benefits that could have far-reaching implications for new parents and those caring for an ailing loved one.
It will only be for four weeks, but the online consultations launched Thursday may open the door for Canadians who want more changes to the benefits system beyond what the Liberals put in their campaign platform.
That could include, as Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen has already proposed, allowing pregnant women in dangerous or challenging jobs to start taking their 15 weeks of maternity leave before they give birth. Or retooling a barely-used program aimed at giving financial help to the parents of murdered or missing children.
Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said it is all on the table as the Liberals focus on finalizing a plan by the 2017 budget.