Posted on 08 April 2008
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April 8, 2008 - Island Senator Elizabeth Hubley drew attention to the shortfalls in maternity and parental benefits offered through the federal Employment Insurance program in a speech to the Upper House today.
Citing a report recently produced by the Women’s Network PEI, Senator Hubley noted the importance of this national program. With the ever-increasing number of women entering the work force, she noted that maternity and parental benefits have never been more important, but their effectiveness is still limited as those who are not in the work force or those who are self-employed are not eligible to collect the benefit.
"The extension of maternity and parental benefits to a year was a great step forward," the Senator told her colleagues, "but more needs to be done to build a stable, adequate system of support for families, including those that are self-employed."
Senator Hubley highlighted what is possible by highlighting the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan.
"The province of Quebec has instituted a plan for families that provides a higher level of coverage for more families and with more benefits. This should be held up as the framework within which all Canadians could thrive," said Senator Hubley.