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 / 12:45 p.m.

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

Andrew Brown

The way parental benefits currently work in Canada outside of Quebec is that you can access combined maternity and parental benefits for up to 12 months and at the current EI replacement rate, which is at 55% of your average weekly earnings.

What was announced yesterday is that parents would now have an option of taking those benefits over 12 months or over 18 months, if they prefer. They would need to make a choice. If they received them over 18 months, the benefits would be paid at a lower rate. It is approximately the same total amount for either option selected.

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