No maternity leave?

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

It is a Community Service Clinic...

We have one in each city, and they MUST come visit you at least once, to make sure you have everything you need, and if you don't, they will provide it. Whether it be for the baby, or food for the house...

If you wish, they will come after that. I did not, but my BF did, and she loved it. Especially when she had her 2nd, it gave more time to spend with the older child, and sometimes just to rest.

I firmly believe in this. I know I was sleep deprived, and if I had no help, I would have gone nuts. This could easily reduce PPD..

I think this is a wonderful service! I wonder if other provinces do this as well. Maybe it's a carry-over from the French culture. Fantastic!

 

[Camicar]

Granted not everyone could be "ready" to work before 6 weeks, but I don't think it's because they aren't physically able to, so why would a doctor not release a person back to work.

With my first I was at my desk two days after giving brith, with my 2nd I waited a week.

You are very lucky. I couldn't even sit at my desk chair for more than 2 weeks due to stitches.

 

[toto2]

I guess if we don't like the services our government will pay for we could complain or perhaps we could look to live in another country and have them paid for us?

I don't feel this is a government responsibility to fund my choice of having a family.

How this is perceived here is taht familly is an important value , and the longer the parents are able to take care of a baby at the start of it's life. We feel that it promotes familly.

We hera a lot about protecting the familly , familly values etc comming from the US governement , specially in election yeras , but obviously , the governement is not ready to help famillies , only get there votes . End of my off topic rant...

 

[PrincessKitty1]

EI from which maternity leave is paid is completely separate from taxes and actually runs at a surplus. People pay for their own services out of their EI deductions.

Everyone assumes taxes are higher in Canada, but Its happened more than once where I've had to run the numbers for work and they were dead even or Canada was less.

I've read this before, too (that Canadian taxes are no higher than US taxes). Apparently people in the USA compare income taxes and forget to include FICA (Social Security/Medicare taxes), self-employment taxes, state income tax, property tax, sales tax, etc. when comparing the overall tax burden.

I've also read that, even with universal single-payer health care, health care is less expensive in Canada than in the USA. Of course, Canada isn't paying 1.6 trillion dollars to "help" Iraq, either--I guess the USA will never fund universal health care as long as distant wars are more important the the health of its own citizens.

 

[mrsltg]

It is a Community Service Clinic...

We have one in each city, and they MUST come visit you at least once, to make sure you have everything you need, and if you don't, they will provide it. Whether it be for the baby, or food for the house...

If you wish, they will come after that. I did not, but my BF did, and she loved it. Especially when she had her 2nd, it gave more time to spend with the older child, and sometimes just to rest.

I firmly believe in this. I know I was sleep deprived, and if I had no help, I would have gone nuts. This could easily reduce PPD..

You must be kidding me. The government sends a housekeeper or a babysitter to your home to help you? Are the people in Canada incapable of hiring a housekeeper or babysitter if they deem the services necessary? Honestly, what do you think other new mothers do? The laundry builds for a few days and I might be tired, but I just had a baby. I can't see how it's the obligation of my fellow citizens to pay for me to take a nap??? This is a real cultural difference.

 

[CJMZ]

When I was pregnant with my first, we had no paid leave and no disability or unemployment. However, in CT we can take up to 16 weeks of FMLA (within 2 years) instead of 12.
For my second pregnancy, the company paid 100% for 12 weeks, and if wanted the extra 4 weeks you had to use your vacation/sick time or take it unpaid - much better deal.

 

[chobie]

You must be kidding me. The government sends a housekeeper or a babysitter to your home to help you? Are the people in Canada incapable of hiring a housekeeper or babysitter if they deem the services necessary? Honestly, what do you think other new mothers do? The laundry builds for a few days and I might be tired, but I just had a baby. I can't see how it's the obligation of my fellow citizens to pay for me to take a nap??? This is a real cultural difference.

As it was pointed it out by another Canadian poster, they do this because they value families.

You're right about there being a real cultural difference when it comes to that.

 

[Lowillian]

Like Addicted to WDW, I also work for the Federal government. I have a lot of health problems and have had several major surgeries that required me to be out of work for 6-8 weeks. It is not my choice to have these health problems, nor have I done anything (smoking, etc) to have the health problems. It would be great if I could get paid for missing all that time. As Addicted said, we have to use our sick leave, annual leave or LWOP. You get pregnant by choice. Why should you automatically get paid to stay home for 6-8 weeks? I could not get donated leave because of the timing of my surgeries (it's hard to get donated leave at the start of the year). I had to take advanced leave and it took me over a year to pay back.

 

[merryweather20]

You must be kidding me. The government sends a housekeeper or a babysitter to your home to help you? Are the people in Canada incapable of hiring a housekeeper or babysitter if they deem the services necessary? Honestly, what do you think other new mothers do? The laundry builds for a few days and I might be tired, but I just had a baby. I can't see how it's the obligation of my fellow citizens to pay for me to take a nap??? This is a real cultural difference.

Community Service Clinics are exclusive to Quebec, but the Red Cross or my church would do the same. Its not a "free baby-sitting service", its to make sure the Mom and baby are safe and healthy in their home. A professional woman in her 30's who is on baby number two might not need any support but what about a young single Mom, she might be missing basic necessities.

I guess it is a cultural difference see,I think letting a stranger take care of an 8 week old and using tax dollars to pay for a gigantic fancy house for your head of state not to mention having the Navy maintain a separate fancy retreat for them in Maryland is crazy

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I guess it is a cultural difference see,I think letting a stranger take care of an 8 week old and using tax dollars to pay for a gigantic fancy house for your head of state not to mention having the Navy maintain a separate fancy retreat for them in Maryland is crazy

Exactly! It's about priorities.

 

[mylilnikita]

Wow! I wish we had the Community Service Center here in the U.S. . If I am paying taxes I want to reap the benefits of it if I need it. Take care of your citizens before anything else. And I don't mean be on services you don't need, but if you need them you should take advantage because you are paying into it.
Go on Canada! That rocks!

 

[mommasita]

You must be kidding me. The government sends a housekeeper or a babysitter to your home to help you? Are the people in Canada incapable of hiring a housekeeper or babysitter if they deem the services necessary? Honestly, what do you think other new mothers do? The laundry builds for a few days and I might be tired, but I just had a baby. I can't see how it's the obligation of my fellow citizens to pay for me to take a nap??? This is a real cultural difference.

I am not kidding. As I said, I have never done it. But I don't think they housekeep. It is more for the health of the mother and the baby. Yes, MANY people can not afford housekeepers or babysitters.
I know what mother's do, I am one of 2. I work for myself, and have not had more than 7 days of leave, but don't knock others who do. I am glad we have this system in place.

Perhaps a cultural difference, but I believe it helps a lot. Too may things go wrong with PDD. Mother's don't get help, and sadly we know what can and does happen...

I don't think this should be knocked. It is also a volunteer basis. Nobody is paying for it..This are mostly mothers or grandmothers who want to give back....

 

[Art Vandalay]

Cultural differences are fine and all. That's a priority Canadians want to support, more power to 'em. Not something I'd support here, but if Canada's happy with it, great

But just to be clear on taxes, *including* all taxes on income, Canada does have higher tax rates than the US according to Canadian parliament documents:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/PRBpubs/prb05106-e.htm

Note that the rates listed there include national and sub-national taxes as well as social security contributions, etc.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Cultural differences are fine and all. That's a priority Canadians want to support, more power to 'em. Not something I'd support here, but if Canada's happy with it, great

But just to be clear on taxes, *including* all taxes on income, Canada does have higher tax rates than the US according to Canadian parliament documents:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/PRBpubs/prb05106-e.htm

Note that the rates listed there include national and sub-national taxes as well as social security contributions, etc.

I don't understand how you could possibly know that since we all pay different taxes and benefits based on income, employers, province, municipality, and a myriad of other factors. For instance, every year since I've been paying income tax I have gotten every penny of it back in a nice big cheque. I don't pay property taxes or any other municipal taxes while others in Canada might. I don't see how you can possibly compare. Also, I have reviewed the document that you have cited, which may I add is called "Families with Children" and does not encompass all types of families by a long stretch). I do not see where it says that all Canadians pay higher taxes than all Americans. Could you please cite the specific paragraph or sentences that you are referring to?

 

[Arielle22]

n.y. max is only $170 per week? in california it's based on your salary with the top being $882 per week. they also enacted the family leave sdi program, so if a baby is born or adopted the dh could take 6 weeks of paid (through sdi) leave as well (what a godsend for a new mom to have new dad home those first 6 weeks to help out)

I am in MA (which doesn't have a state policy) but I remember that figure from some labor manuals I have.

 

[merryweather20]

Cultural differences are fine and all. That's a priority Canadians want to support, more power to 'em. Not something I'd support here, but if Canada's happy with it, great

But just to be clear on taxes, *including* all taxes on income, Canada does have higher tax rates than the US according to Canadian parliament documents:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/PRBpubs/prb05106-e.htm

Note that the rates listed there include national and sub-national taxes as well as social security contributions, etc.

Tax rates are one thing, but applying them to real world numbers is a different thing entirely.

For example (albeit a silly one) on the Canadian verson of who wants to be a millionaire, the Canadian winner actually made off with more money than the Americans did on their show (despite the exchange rate at the time) because the Canadian's winings were tax free.

I ran the numbers with a stateside accountant for an upstate New York Co. who was thinking about adding a second division. At the end of the day, the company had a better bottom line paying the slightly higher tax rate in Canada, then the Health Insurance and benefits (or equivalent salary) their employees would have sought South of the Border.

 

[Art Vandalay]

I don't understand how you could possibly know that since we all pay different taxes and benefits based on income, employers, province, municipality, and a myriad of other factors. For instance, every year since I've been paying income tax I have gotten every penny of it back in a nice big cheque. I don't pay property taxes or any other municipal taxes while others in Canada might. I don't see how you can possibly compare. Also, I have reviewed the document that you have cited, which may I add is called "Families with Children" and does not encompass all types of families by a long stretch). I do not see where it says that all Canadians pay higher taxes than all Americans. Could you please cite the specific paragraph or sentences that you are referring to?

Ya know, I was going to respond, but it's not worth it. Believe what you will.

 

[Art Vandalay]

Tax rates are one thing, but applying them to real world numbers is a different thing entirely.

For example (albeit a silly one) on the Canadian verson of who wants to be a millionaire, the Canadian winner actually made off with more money than the Americans did on their show (despite the exchange rate at the time) because the Canadian's winings were tax free.

I ran the numbers with a stateside accountant for an upstate New York Co. who was thinking about adding a second division. At the end of the day, the company had a better bottom line paying the slightly higher tax rate in Canada, then the Health Insurance and benefits (or equivalent salary) their employees would have sought South of the Border.

I will however, respond to this I don't doubt there are circumstances under which it makes more sense to do business in Canada. Factors are obviously different for corporate taxes, and healthcare costs are certainly a lot higher on this side of the border.

But in terms of individual income tax, Canadians do pay more. They obviously get more for their services as well. Nothing wrong with that, inherently. It seems to work fairly well for Canada. Just wanted to point out that income tax rates, factoring in everything reasonable, are a bit higher in Canada. That's all

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Just wanted to point out that income tax rates, factoring in everything reasonable, are a bit higher in Canada. That's all

Sorry...I read it as you saying that taxes (not specifically income taxes) are higher in Canada. (Your link confused me because that's not what the article was about.) Like I said, until now, I have gotten everything that I paid into income tax back so I can't really complain.

 

[Art Vandalay]

Sorry...I read it as you saying that taxes (not specifically income taxes) are higher in Canada. (Your link confused me because that's not what the article was about.) Like I said, until now, I have gotten everything that I paid into income tax back so I can't really complain.

Fair enough. Tax comparisons are never simple and easy. The important thing is that you're happy with your system.