Pallister government jeopardizing parental leave extension, NDP charge
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/11/2017 (2880 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
New parents are in jeopardy of losing six months of additional job protection because the Manitoba government won’t sign off on federal legislation, the provincial NDP charged Wednesday.
Opposition Leader Wab Kinew told reporters the Conservatives led by Premier Brian Pallister are either “asleep at the switch” and unaware of the deadline looming or “They’re getting advice from their friends in big business that they don’t want this.”
There is a weekend deadline for provinces to sign onto Ottawa’s plan to extend employment insurance for parental leave to 18 months, said Kinew. Without the province’s agreement, parents get only 12 months’ job protection.
“Our provincial laws have to be changed to ensure there’s a job waiting for you at the end of it,” he said.
Having announced last week that his family is expecting a baby, Kinew told the legislature Wednesday: “My wife and I have been talking about parental leave lately. The premier has yet to introduce any legislation. Parents in this province will not be able to access (extended) parental leave.”
Finance MInister Cameron Friesen responded by assuring the House the government will continue to listen to Manitobans.
Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen said late Wednesday afternoon he is still studying the federal legislation.
Pedersen said in a prepared statement: “We are always interested in ways to support and strengthen Manitoba families, but we will take the necessary time to explore this further.
“The Manitoba government encourages all expectant parents to speak with their employers about any interest in an 18-month period of maternity and parental leave. If agreed upon by both parties, an employer can provide a longer period of leave than what is required under the Employment Standards Code.”
nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca