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House Bill

Bill C-318

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 30, 2024
An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code (adoptive and intended parents)
  • This bill, known as Bill C-318, aims to make changes to the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code in relation to adoptive and intended parents. The bill introduces a new type of special benefit called an attachment benefit, which provides 15 weeks of support for adoptive parents and parents of children conceived through surrogacy. It also extends parental leave under the Canada Labour Code to accommodate these changes. The bill is currently in its first reading in the House of Commons and can be found on the House of Commons website.
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  • RA
  • Yea (178)
  • Nay (146)
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • Steelman Argument: The amendment to the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code to introduce an attachment benefit of 15 weeks for adoptive parents and parents of children conceived through surrogacy is a necessary and justifiable measure to support families in their transition to parenthood. Children who are adopted or conceived through surrogacy often face unique challenges in forming attachments with their new parents. This process can require additional time and attention to ensure a smooth and healthy bonding experience for both the child and the parents. By providing an attachment benefit, parents are given the financial support they need to take the necessary time off work to focus on building a strong bond with their child. Furthermore, this amendment recognizes that adoptive parents and parents of children conceived through surrogacy face similar challenges and deserve equal support. It ensures that all parents,

SteelmanSpren Against

  • A steelman argument opposing this bill could be: While the intention behind the bill is to provide support to adoptive and intended parents, it may place an additional burden on employers and the economy. By introducing a new type of special benefits, it could lead to increased costs for businesses, especially small businesses, who may struggle to accommodate the extended leaves of their employees. This could hinder their ability to hire and retain employees, ultimately affecting their productivity and competitiveness. Furthermore, the extension of parental leave may disrupt the continuity and efficiency of workplaces. With longer periods of absence, there is a risk of decreased productivity, increased workload for other employees, and potential delays or setbacks in projects. This could have a negative impact on the overall performance and growth of businesses. Additionally, the bill does not address the potential abuse of extended

House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 07, 2024
Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA)
Re. Bill C-318, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code (adoptive and intended parents)
  • Report 14 presented to the House
  • In accordance with its Order of Reference of Wednesday, September 20, 2023, your committee has considered Bill C-318, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code (adoptive and intended parents), and agreed on Monday, January 29, 2024, to report it with the following amendments:

    Clause 1

    That Bill C-318, in Clause 1, be amended by adding after line 16 on page 1 the following:

    “(1.2) For greater certainty, in this Part, a reference to the placement of one or more children with a claimant for the purpose of adoption includes a situation in which one or more Indigenous children are placed, in accordance with the customs or traditions of the Indigenous group, community or people to which they belong, with a claimant, other than their parent, for the purpose of giving the claimant primary responsibility for providing their day-to-day care.”

    Clause 8

    That Bill C-318, in Clause 8, be amended by adding after line 33 on page 5 the following:

    “(1.2) For greater certainty, in this Part, a reference to the placement of one or more children with a self-employed person for the purpose of adoption includes a situation in which one or more Indigenous children are placed, in accordance with the customs or traditions of the Indigenous group, community or people to which they belong, with a self-employed person, other than their parent, for the purpose of giving the self-employed person primary responsibility for providing their day-to-day care.”

    Clause 14

    That Bill C-318, in Clause 14, be amended by adding after line 14 on page 10 the following:

    “(3.3) For greater certainty, in this section, a reference to a child who is in the care of an employee for the purpose of adoption includes an Indigenous child placed, in accordance with the customs or traditions of the Indigenous group, community or people to which the child belongs, with an employee, other than the child’s parent, for the purpose of giving the employee primary responsibility for providing the child’s day-to-day care.”

    Clause 17

    That Bill C-318, in Clause 17, be amended by adding after line 17 on page 12 the following:

    “(3.3) For greater certainty, in this section, a reference to a child who is in the care of an employee for the purpose of adoption includes an Indigenous child placed, in accordance with the customs or traditions of the Indigenous group, community or people to which the child belongs, with an employee, other than the child’s parent, for the purpose of giving the employee primary responsibility for providing the child’s day-to-day care.”

    Your committee has ordered a reprint of Bill C-318, as amended, as a working copy for the use of the House of Commons at the report stage.
    A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 91, 92 and 96) is tabled.
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House Debates

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
January 30, 2024
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House Motion No. 409

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
Sept. 20, 2023, 3:15 p.m.
2nd reading of Bill C-318, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code (adoptive and intended parents)
  • Bill C-318
  • Latest: Second reading in the House of Commons