Paternal coverage, dollars and sense

On this Father’s Day, let’s discuss the qualifying condition for celebrating Father’s Day, being a dad. More specifically, let’s discuss how we can do a better job at balancing caregiving in Canada.

Dads, we have come a long way, but we can do more.  And we can be better supported by insurance programs to help get us there.

Author bias; I’m proud to announce that this is my first Father’s Day, so these issues are directly affecting me.

Quite simply, when individuals have better access to paternal coverage, they will take it. Quebec is a good example, as they now offer exclusive coverage for fathers for five weeks at 70 per cent of employable income (or three weeks at 75 per cent). And it’s not surprisingly that their paternal rate is higher. What is surprising is how much higher. Nationally, abut nine percent of dads plan on or did take leave in 2014. In Quebec it’s around 78 per cent.

The benefits of paternal leave are proven. Fathers who take time are more likely to play an active role in child care tasks, even after leave. Mothers see a benefit in their advancement in the workforce. And for the kids, they see an increase in long-term learning abilities and better grades. This is literally a win-win-win. 

Overall, there are two ways of expanding paternal coverage:

1. Money.  Better coverage, increased percentage eligibility of income percentage coverage. This can come from government, and would most likely be required to do so for large scale adoption. That said, some private sector employers are stepping up. Most notably Deloitte has a fantastic program that some friends have taken advantage of, three weeks at 100 per cent or six weeks at nearly 100 per cent EI top up.

2. Sense. This is a little looser association but more supports, generally, would lead to more paternal coverage. Whether that’s decreasing eligibility requirements, decreasing taxes on benefits, creating mandatory paternal leave (or dedicated paternal leave) or furthering employment guarantees for those who take time.

In general, Canada has a strong parental support system. That said, we can always do better. Only 15 countries worldwide have three basic policies that help guarantee the time and resources parents need according to UNICEF`s Early Moments Matter for Every Child.

Those three basic national policies that help guarantee the time and resources parents need to support their young children`s healthy brain development are two years of free pre-primary education, paid breastfeeding breaks for new mothers for the first six months and adequate paid parental leave. 

As Danny Devito so infamously said to Arnold Schwarzenegger in the critically acclaimed movie Junior “Let’s put a bun in that oven”. So fathers, let’s heed that important advice, play with our kids, ask for more paternal coverage and bear that proverbial bun in our ovens.

Note: the use of the term “paternal” coverage is intended to include secondary caregivers.