Changes to parental leave aimed to get more women into workforce, minister says

Introducing a new incentive for fathers to take parental leave has largely been driven by the government's attempt to promote gender equality, including allowing women to return to work after having a baby, according to a cabinet minister who oversaw the consultations. 

The upcoming federal budget will include a five-week, use-it-or-lose-it incentive for new dads to take parental leave and share the responsibilities of raising their young child, The Canadian Press has learned.

While the policy is aimed at men, the outcomes are aimed to benefit women. 

"Our government is trying to be, and I think is quite successful, at being a feminist government," Jean-Yves Duclos, minister of families, children and social development, told The House. 

He stressed that gender equality is at the heart of the development of the government's work surrounding parental leave. 

"When we have a greater equality of parental leave and parental activities, we also are able to achieve a greater equality of life and work outcomes."

Though unwilling to speak directly concerning the budget, Duclos said the earlier consultations on paternity leave showed it would lead to greater opportunity for women in the workforce at a time when Canada needs to do more to promote gender equality.