Skip to main content

e-4694 (Employment and labour)

E-petition
Initiated by Robyn Moreau from Barrie, Ontario

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:
  • We request that parental leave benefits be increased for parents of multiples (twins, triplets, quads, etc.), whether in leave duration and/ or financial compensation;
  • Parents of singleton children receive separate maternity/parental leave for each child. Parents of multiples equally contribute to E.I, and therefore should also receive parental benefits per child. For example, a parent of two singleton children is entitled to two 18-month parental leaves, whereas a parent of twins can only receive one 18-month parental leave;
  • The workload is often significantly increased with multiples and therefore the family unit would benefit from the secondary parent taking additional parental leave;
  • Mothers of multiples have a higher risk of health concerns that require additional support; including increases to Cesarean delivery rate, pre-term birth and NICU stays, rate/severity of post partum depression, and lactation challenges;
  • Parents of multiples incur additional costs during the leave period in comparison to a parent of a singleton infant. For example, the cost of additional crib, car seat, clothing, diapers and formula, as well as increased cost due to twin-specific items being sold at a premium (bassinet, strollers), and used items being scarcer; and
  • The following areas already provide increased leave for parents of multiples, acknowledging that having multiples does differ from having a singleton. Non-exhaustive list: Quebec, Massachusetts, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Iran, China, South Korea, Vietnam, Peru, Afghanistan, Ghana.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to increase the parental leave benefits for parents of multiples (twins, triplets, or higher order).
Open for signature
November 21, 2023, at 3:52 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
February 19, 2024, at 3:52 p.m. (EDT)
Photo - Niki Ashton
Churchill—Keewatinook Aski
New Democratic Party Caucus
Manitoba