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From EI to Daycare: Navigating Parental Leave in Canada
Description
Thinking about taking parental leave in Canada?
In this episode of DemograFix Cara Stern talks with Jasmine Steffler (from Walkable Parenthood and Oh The Urbanity!) about her experience navigating parental leave. From understanding benefits and income replacement to finding childcare, building community, and adjusting to life with a new baby, Cara and Jasmine know what it takes to grow a family in Canada.
If you're expecting a child or planning a family, this conversation covers many of the practical questions parents have before taking leave:
✅ How parental leave and EI benefits work in Canada
✅ The difference between 12- and 18-month leave options
✅ Why Quebec's parental leave system is different
✅ How much income you can expect while on leave
✅ Finding daycare and understanding childcare costs
✅ Building community and avoiding isolation during leave
✅ Life with a baby in a walkable city without owning a car
✅ What we wish we knew before taking leave
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Canadian Parental Leave
00:48 Understanding Parental Leave Policies
02:29 Choosing the Length of Leave
02:51 The Quebec Parental Insurance Plan vs. Other Provinces
05:08 Navigating the Childcare System
06:15 Financial Challenges and Income Replacement
07:50 Walking and Cycling Without a Car
10:19 Finding Community During Parental Leave
12:50 Lessons Learned and Future Considerations
15:55 Traveling with a Young Child
16:49 Conclusion and Outro
Research/links:
The effect of leave policies on increasing fertility: a systematic review | Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-022-01270-w
(PDF) Does Parental Leave Affect Fertility and Return-to-Work? Evidence from a "True Natural Experiment"
The Daily — Fertility and baby names, 2024
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250924/dq250924d-eng.htm
Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux
Produced by Meredith Martin
Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/