Parents of twins each receive EI benefits

The Employment Insurance Board of Referees recently ruled that the Ottawa parents of twins can each receive full parental leave. Existing rules restrict parental leave to a maximum of 35 weeks of Employment Insurance benefits for each pregnancy. Although the ruling does not bind other Board panels, it may set a precedent that can be relied on by other multiple birth parents. It also remains to be seen whether the federal government will experience or respond to increased pressure to alter the existing Employment Insurance policy in response to increasing multiple birth rates.