Mr. Andrew Brown at the Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee

On March 23rd, 2017. See this statement in context.

March 23rd, 2017 / 12:40 p.m.

Executive Director, Employment Insurance Policy, Skills and Employment Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development

Andrew Brown

Parental benefits can begin after the child has been born, or in the case of adoptions, when the child has been placed for the purpose of adoption.

The concern is that if benefits were advanced up to 15 weeks in advance of the expected due date, and if the child were to arrive late, another week or two subsequently—if you start at week minus 15, now you've reached week zero—maternity benefits would end and your leave would actually also end. You would be expected back at work because you would not yet be eligible for parental benefits or parental leave.

See context to find out what was said next.