Mr. Speaker, to mark the first World Prematurity Day, parents of premature babies and the staff from Edmonton neonatal intensive care units are today launching a campaign for extended parental leave to ensure proper care for infants born prematurely or with serious illnesses.
Some babies spend weeks to months in the intensive care unit. Some require multiple surgeries. Of necessity, the majority of paid parental leave is spent in hospital with the infants. As a result, the parents lose their usual one year at home with their healthy, well-developing child.
Doctors advise that parental participation in infant care is essential in intensive care, yet many families face ongoing challenges once home. These parents need and deserve additional time with their children before returning to work.
On behalf of these children and their families, I call on the government to extend the allowed one year of paid parental leave for any parents caring for premature infants.