From EI to Daycare: Navigating Parental Leave in Canada

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 leaveChapters:00:00 Introduction to Canadian Parental Leave00:48 Understanding Parental Leave Policies02:29 Choosing the Length of Leave02:51 The Quebec Parental Insurance Plan vs. Other Provinces05:08 Navigating the Childcare System06:15 Financial Challenges and Income Replacement07:50 Walking and Cycling Without a Car10:19 Finding Community During Parental Leave12:50 Lessons Learned and Future Considerations15:55 Traveling with a Young Child16:49 Conclusion and OutroResearch/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" https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5135837_Does_Parental_Leave_Affect_Fertility_and_Return-to-Work_Evidence_from_a_True_Natural_ExperimentThe Daily — Fertility and baby names, 2024 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250924/dq250924d-eng.htmHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/