Parental Leave Bill Introduced

Legislation introduced in the House of Assembly today will give parents the option of taking up to a full year off to care for their new babies and adopted children.

Angus MacIsaac, Acting Environment and Labour Minister, introduced amendments to the Labour Standards Code today which will extend parental leave from 17 weeks to 52 weeks for adoptive parents. For birth mothers, their leave will be extended from 34 weeks to 52 weeks.

Mr. MacIsaac said since last week when he announced the plan to extend leave for parents, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

"This is part of our commitment to support Nova Scotian families," Mr. MacIsaac said. "We've received phone calls and e- mails saying how welcome and progressive this initiative is."

The bill allows parents to stay up to a full year at home, while their jobs are protected.

Earlier this year, the federal government amended the Employment Insurance Act to extend benefits for birth parents from 25 weeks to 50 weeks, after a two-week waiting period. The federal government currently provides 35 weeks of benefits after a two-week waiting period to adoptive parents.

Nova Scotia's changes give adoptive parents the option of taking up to 52 weeks of leave, with job protection.

For new birth parents, Employment Insurance provides 55 per cent of a parent's average weekly insurable earnings, up to $413 a week and a maximum of $39,000.