Today I am re-visiting Mat Leave Monday, because there was a major announcement last week that affects maternity leave in Canada.
On November 3, the federal Conservatives introduced The Fairness for the Self-Employed Act, which extends special benefits provided through the Employment Insurance (EI) system to the self-employed. These special benefits include sickness benefits, compassionate care leave, and maternity and parental leave.
Under the legislation, self-employed workers could begin contributing to the plan on January 1, 2010. They will pay the same premiums as other Canadians, and will be eligible for the same special benefits at the same rates. Human Resources Minister Diane Finley says that the plan will be self-sustaining – that is, the premiums paid by self-employed workers will cover the benefits paid out. And we should keep in mind that there will be fewer benefits paid out than the rest of us receive, as the self-employed will not be eligible for ordinary EI benefits due to job loss.
In order to qualify for benefits, self-employed workers must:
This means that the first self-employed Canadians could collect maternity and parental benefits beginning in January, 2011. If you contribute to the plan and don’t collect benefits, you are free to opt out at the end of any calendar year.
I think that this is great news. I understand why people who work for themselves would not be eligible to collect unemployment benefits. But special benefits, which are paid out to help people through life events, are a different story. These are things that we can’t always plan for. It is not fair that small business owners, who are the engine of our economy, would be unable to spend time with their babies or be there for their dying mothers in the same way as the rest of us. I am glad that this inequity has been rectified.
I recognize that even with this legislation, maternity and parental leave may not be viable for many self-employed workers. If your business counts on your presence on a day-to-day basis, taking a year off with your baby may not be possible. It is also true that if you have an unexpected life event you may not qualify for benefits anyway, because you haven’t been contributing for the full year. But I think it is valuable and important to give everyone a choice, and to try to implement change, even as we acknowledge that it may never be perfect.
About time!
The Canadians do everything better than we do when it comes to protecting families. I swear, America is starting to seem like a 3rd world country to me.
I agree — it’s nice just to be asked
.
How come your thingy can never find my last post? Is it me? Is it because I’m fat? It’s because I’m fat, isn’t it!!!
This is the best thing I’ve heard all day! Too bad so sad it’s 3 years too late for me, but hooray for all of the other self-employed mommies out there!
.-= Melodie´s last post ..Breastfeeding, Formula Feeding and Social Oppression =-.
Your post is very informative. Canada is really a place to go. it sometimes feel as though it’s too-good-to-be-true. I want to migrate and try how it is to live there.
.-= Hydro floss´s last post ..Are Broken Teeth a Natural Part of Aging? =-.
Wow, amazing. Congrats to Canada!
.-= Lady M´s last post ..Pink Ombré Beaded Fringe =-.
Very interesting news
.-= James´s last post ..Length of Maternity Leave around the World =-.
Does anyone know how to go about applying for this EI as a self-employed worker?