Parental Leave: More Time with the Kids

Nam Kiwanuka and Sarah Kaplan on TVO

New federal rules extending the maximum parental leave from 12 to 18 months will soon be in place in Canada. No additional funds have been allocated, which means EI payments for longer leave will be lower than if the shorter time is taken. While the federal government has been touting the increased flexibility of the new plan, critics wonder whether most Canadians will be able to afford to take advantage of it. The Agenda debates the pros and cons of the new plan.