Canadian ladies?

Karrotelle

Who are my fellow Canadian November '17 bumpies?

I am curious what your thoughts are about the announcement today that maternity leave has been extended to 18 months at 33% pay? Or you have the option of opting for 12 months off at the traditional 55% pay. 

I havent read when this takes effect but if we qualify, will you take the 18 months or the 12? 

We are very very lucky to even have this option. I'm actually a bit shocked it passed to be honest!

ugoglencoco

Not Canadian but JEALOUUUUUSSSS. That sounds amazing, can you adopt me so i can get these benefits? Lol!

DuchessOfCambridge

Ditto to @ugoglencoco, not Canadian but want to be!! 18 months??? AMAZING! I do love America and all that but we seriously suck sometimes. 12 weeks and the country right above us offers 18 MONTHS? Get it together USA. 

ETA: I am able to take 12 weeks per US law, 7 will be paid, 5 unpaid. Can I be Canadian while I'm having children?

bcashaw

@Karrotelle I'm Canadian! (Toronto, you?) 
I didn't even hear about this, but I am already a stay at home mom with my 3 step and 1 foster child(ren) so I imagine this doesn't affect me much.  Very happy to hear this though!

Karrotelle

@bcashaw I am near Port Dover, ON. I'm a SAHM too, so it won't affect me but it's a great option for so many Moms!

2Dash

I'm also Canadian - this being my third I could use as much time at home as possible.  If it were up to me and we had the finances to do it - I wouldn't go back for like 5 years!!  I would like to take the 18 months but will need to look into what it means.

bcashaw

@2Dash it's unfortunate that something that has the potential to be so great also is based on privilege and wealth. Would be great to see something like this geared to lower income families 

2Dash

I think the intent is more towards working moms - and the fact that a lot of daycares don't take kids until 18 months which leaves an awkward period where people are with home daycares/family.  I have a good job as does my DH - but months with little income put a strain on any family.  I earn enough that it makes sense financially for me to go back to work (and send kids to daycare) - but emotionally as a mother and knowing how fast my DS's have grown I would like as much time with them as I can.  I also know that time away from work impacts your career path... whether we like it or not - the work world treats working women with no kids differently than working women with kids. 

ChattyKitty17

*packing bags to move to canada*. I have 0 paid leave-  
and I work in a daycare center preschool.

bagel37

Vancouver, BC here! 
This will be our second and I'm just going to take the year. It would be nice to have the 18 months but we can't afford it. I also don't know how it would work with my work top up since it's so new. I know they say that having children isn't supposed to affect your job, but 18 months would really
hinder my job. Maybe if we could afford it and my
dh could take the last 6 months? 

alwaysadventure

Winnipeg MB here!

As far as I was aware it won't be coming into effect until 2018 at the earliest. 

rms924

ChattyKitty17 said:

*packing bags to move to canada*. I have 0 paid leave-  
and I work in a daycare center preschool.

@ChattyKitty17 seriously? you would think if any employer could understand! 

Wow, I am so insanely jealous. I get 8 weeks paid, 4 weeks unpaid and I think those are generous benefits. I am hoping that I can work it out to stay home for 4 months this time around, but we will see how the finances shake out. That would mean that I would be taking 2 months unpaid which can be tough on the family, especially right after the holidays.

@2Dash there's an 8 week old at my son's daycare. He's so teeny tiny! 

Julie

Canadian (Quebec city) over here too! I didn't hear the news, but it's pretty awesome! I don't think we could afford it thought. I already feel super lucky to have a full 12 months and it breaks my heart reading about all of you ladies in the US who barely get anything. You are unbelievably strong ❤️

ibanezstarburst

I'm in Alberta. I was also shocked to hear this. I think it's a great option. If money wasnt an issue, I would love to take the 18 months but I will do the 12 months. I can't imagine not having the full year though. I agree, all you mama's who hardly get any paid time off are amazing and strong! I think it should be standard everywhere to get at least a full year off with your little one.

Knottie19640588

I'm from Ontario. I was so happy when I heard they are extending it, but then when I saw the extra 6 months were only at 33% it was kind of disappointing. If it is in effect by Nov '17 I think I'll be sticking with the 12 months.