OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is looking at creating a use-it-or-lose-it funded leave for new dads.
Trudeau says making it easier for non-birthing parents, like fathers, to take time off to care for a newborn would help remove barriers women face in the workforce related to expectations that they be primarily responsible for child-rearing.
READ MORE: Paternity leave is great but childcare policy still needed, experts say
Get daily National news
Trudeau’s musings at a forum with students at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, India, comes just eight days before his government is due to unveil its latest budget.
The idea Trudeau is floating would be similar to the paternity leave policy in Quebec, which is the only province that provides funded leave for new fathers.
- Applicants for child care operator licences in Saskatchewan say they’re being denied
- More than $500M likely required annually for Calgary to meet affordable housing targets
- First-ever Saskatchewan commodity showcase connects producers with global buyers
- Montreal-area family hopes daughter’s cancer journey inspires blood donors
-
![]()
Cyclospora outbreak source not confirmed, health officials investigating link to lettuce, greens -
![]()
CN rail train drives through inferno as wildfires ravage northwestern Ontario -
![]()
WestJet flight attendants vote in favour of strike -
![]()
Immigration lawyer reacts as some “Lost Canadians” told to return citizenship certificate
READ MORE: Liberals investigating options for new paternity leave policy
Experts have been pushing the Liberals to create dedicated paternity leave in the budget and increase the value of benefits paid out for parents who opt for an 18-month parental leave that became available late last year.
There have also been calls to make such a leave available to anyone who isn’t considered a primary caregiver, such as a grandparent.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.