Protecting EI for new mothers

The specifics of this issue took me a bit to really get, but this is certainly worth the effort it takes to understand it. NDP MP Chris Charlton is working hard to get a bill (that was passed in March 09) enforced that resonates with me as a feminist, as a mother, and as an empathetic member of my community during this down-turn in the economy. You can read about it on Ms. Charlton's website here.

Let me paint a picture: A woman gives birth and takes her due maternity leave. After her year, she returns to work only to get laid off, because her company has been struggling like so many others these days. She applies for employment insurance, like anyone else would do, only to find out that the government says she used up all of her employment insurance while taking maternity leave. She's shit out of luck, and possibly now without any sustainable way of putting food on the table. And of course, she has a new baby to care for. 

What's happening is the government is punishing women in these circumstances for taking maternity leave. This must change.

Taking one's rightful maternity leave should have NO impact on whether or not mothers qualify for "regular" employment insurance upon returning to their jobs. It implies that they were no longer employed, or were on a personal sabbatical during the time they were away from their desks. While on maternity leave women remain fully employed members of their companies, earning the same benefits throughout their leave. They are not on vacation during this time, and they should not be penalized though they are. 

There is a petition on Chris Charlton's website that you can print, sign, and mail back to her (postage free). She will then present it in The House of Commons, and hopefully convince Parliament to enforce this bill as early as Mother's Day! 

Please help participate in this movement to protect new moms during this awful recession. If you need any further incentive, just imagine how utterly devastated and pissed you would be if this happened to you. And how grateful you would feel if people banded together to do what's right for you and your family.