The Honourable Gail A. Shea, Minister Responsible for Labour, is pleased to announce amendments to the PEI Employment Standards Act allowing parents to take unpaid parental leave up to 52 weeks. Birth mothers are entitled to 17 weeks maternity leave. In addition, a further 35 weeks parental leave is available which may be shared by both parents.
In the case of adoptive leave, the period is extended from 17 to 52 weeks and may be shared by both adoptive parents.
"Today's announcement demonstrates this government's commitment to supporting working parents in balancing work and family life," says Minister Shea. "It allows parents to spend more time with their new babies or adopted children during the critical first year."
These amendments will also allow parents to take advantage of the recent amendments to the Federal Employment Insurance Act where benefits were extended for birth parents from 25 to 50 weeks and adoptive parents from 10 to 35 weeks.
The changes to the PEI Employment Standards Act will come into effect on December 31, 2000.