Canadians women who work are granted up to a year of paid maternity leave, but elected representatives in the province of Alberta are not eligible, at least not for now. Maternal benefits are paid through Canada’s unemployment agency. Alberta representatives, called MLAs, do not pay into the fund so they are not eligible to get benefits from it.
Rules could violate charter rights, says premier
Stephanie McLean is Alberta’s first pregnant MLA. Under current rules, not only would she not be paid while on leave, her salary could be docked $100 a day if she misses more than 10 of the days the provincial legislature sits.
The government leader, Rachel Notley said the rules would not survive a legal challenge based on Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms and they must be changed.
‘We will fix it’
McLean’s baby is due in Februrary, and the premier said if the rules could not be changed in time to apply to her, the issue could be dealt with by the members services committee. “We will fix it and we will make sure that (McLean) suffers no economic loss,” said Notley at a news conference.
At the same time she held up some baby clothing bearing an inscription from the late, beloved leader of her political party, Jack Layton, and said “We’re very much looking forward to the new caucus member that we will be having and I look forward to giving her the Jack Layton onesie.”
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