News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

NLIS 1
December 18, 2000
(Environment and Labour)

 

Parental leave entitlement increased

Oliver Langdon, Minister of Environment and Labour, today issued a reminder to employers and prospective parents that effective December 31, 2000, parents will have the option of staying home for up to one year to care for their newborns and adopted children. The amendment to the parental leave provision of the Labour Standards Act was passed during the Fall sitting of the House of Assembly.

Earlier this year, the federal government amended the Employment Insurance Act to provide a maximum of 50 weeks combined maternity and parental benefits, after a two week waiting period, rather than the current 25 week maximum.

Previously, under the Labour Standards Act, parents were entitled to 12 weeks of parental leave. However, with the amendment, the parental leave provision is increased to 35 weeks. This change, combined with the current 17 week leave provisions provided for maternity and adoption, will enable parents to take up to a year off with job protection.

"Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the first provinces in Canada to formally amend legislation to be consistent with federal provisions," said Minister Langdon. "Government recognizes the importance of early childhood development initiatives, and we are proud that this initiative will allow parents to stay home for up to a year with their newborns and adopted children."

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-2575.

2000 12 18 2:30 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement