Adoption of a bill favorable to family-work balance for parents of toddlers
Bill 51, aimed at increasing the flexibility of the parental insurance plan, was adopted on October 27 by the government.
It will help promote family-work balance for parents.
It will help promote family-work balance for parents.
This new bill allows:
- Improve the flexibility of the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) in order to respond to the current context of the labor market and facilitate family-work balance;
- Encourage greater sharing of parental benefits between parents in order to promote a better balance in their investment in the family sphere;
- To adapt the QPIP to the specific situations experienced by certain parents, such as a multiple birth or adoption.
- The period within which parental, paternity and adoption benefits can be taken will be reduced from 52 weeks (12 months) to 78 weeks (18 months);
- Four additional weeks of shareable benefits will be awarded when both parents use a minimum of 8 weeks of parental or adoption benefits each;
- Five weeks of exclusive benefits will be granted to each parent in the event of a multiple birth or adoption;
- Five weeks of exclusive benefits will be offered to all adoptive parents.
More weeks for parents who share their parental leave
According to the 2019 Portrait of Toddlers , developing parenting support programs and services specifically targeting men helps them play their parenting role more actively, starting with pregnancy. Valuing and encouraging the taking of extended paternity leave also helps fathers to play a more active parenting role.
“This is a major change, which should lead to, it is our common wish, a more equal sharing. This measure also responds to the desire of fathers to be more present with their children. " - Jean Boulet, Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Solidarity
According to the 2019 Portrait of Toddlers , developing parenting support programs and services specifically targeting men helps them play their parenting role more actively, starting with pregnancy. Valuing and encouraging the taking of extended paternity leave also helps fathers to play a more active parenting role.
“This is a major change, which should lead to, it is our common wish, a more equal sharing. This measure also responds to the desire of fathers to be more present with their children. " - Jean Boulet, Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Solidarity
More equity for adoptive parents
Finally, Bill 51 confirms the amendments tabled last March to allow adopting families to benefit from the same duration of benefit as biological families. This desire to promote equality between adopting parents and biological parents was also underlined
by the Ombudsperson, Ms. Marie Rinfret.
“These two types of parents certainly live different realities, but their desire to devote as much time as possible to their children is the same. Although different from those of children born to birth parents, the needs of adopted children are just as great and deserve to be adequately addressed. In addition, the adopted child may have certain specific needs, considering that he or she faces great challenges of adaptation on the physical and emotional levels as well as of integration. »- Marie Rinfret, Ombudsperson
Finally, Bill 51 confirms the amendments tabled last March to allow adopting families to benefit from the same duration of benefit as biological families. This desire to promote equality between adopting parents and biological parents was also underlined
by the Ombudsperson, Ms. Marie Rinfret.
“These two types of parents certainly live different realities, but their desire to devote as much time as possible to their children is the same. Although different from those of children born to birth parents, the needs of adopted children are just as great and deserve to be adequately addressed. In addition, the adopted child may have certain specific needs, considering that he or she faces great challenges of adaptation on the physical and emotional levels as well as of integration. »- Marie Rinfret, Ombudsperson
The importance of parent-child time during the first year of life
The quality time that a toddler spends with his parents during his first year of life is essential in order to foster the creation of a bond of attachment stable and secure between the child and his parents. The development of this bond of attachment with his mother and father, whether they are his biological parents or not, is important in the development of toddlers.
Indeed, this link is considered a pillar in terms of mental health and self-esteem in young children. The stronger this bond, the more children will be equipped later in life to maintain harmonious relationships with others in adulthood,
and to manage difficult situations throughout their life.
The quality time that a toddler spends with his parents during his first year of life is essential in order to foster the creation of a bond of attachment stable and secure between the child and his parents. The development of this bond of attachment with his mother and father, whether they are his biological parents or not, is important in the development of toddlers.
Indeed, this link is considered a pillar in terms of mental health and self-esteem in young children. The stronger this bond, the more children will be equipped later in life to maintain harmonious relationships with others in adulthood,
and to manage difficult situations throughout their life.