For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 20 2015
Liberal Plan For Modern Working Families
On Wednesday, Liberal Party of Canada leader, Justin Trudeau, presented more of its plans to assist Canadian families. A Liberal government will adapt to the changing way we work by giving Canadians more choice in parental benefits and flexible work arrangements.
“This commitment made by the Liberal Party is another example of just how ready Mr. Trudeau is to help Canadian families”, said Terry Sheehan, Liberal Candidate for Sault Ste. Marie and area. He goes on to say, “The demands of the modern family are different than they were a generation ago, yet government policy hasn’t adapted to reflect this reality.”
A Liberal government will lead by example and amend the Canada Labour Code to provide every federally regulated worker with the legal right to request – without fear of reprisal – more flexible working conditions, including flexible start and finish times, and the ability to work from home. In addition, there will be an introduction two new options to parental benefits under Employment Insurance:
-An option that allows parents to receive their benefits in smaller blocks of time over a period of up to 18 months. For example, a single mother could receive benefits for six months, return to work for six months while a relative provides child care, then go back on parental leave and receive benefits for another six months
-An option of taking a longer leave – up to 18 months when combined with maternity benefits – at a lower benefit level. This flexibility would also apply for families where two parents split the use of parental benefits.
“The reality is, is that in many families both parents are working, often, multiple jobs all while having to balance the demands of raising young children and in some cases, also having to provide additional care to an ailing loved one. The changes outlined in this part of our plan along with the provision of a larger Canada Child Benefit , and tax cuts for the middle class will go a long way to assisting families in Sault Ste. Marie and area with the challenges they face”, says Sheehan.