January 24, 2013
An Ottawa father says a decision to dismiss his Federal Court appeal, which sought 35 weeks of parental leave for each parent so they could care for their twin girls at the same time, was unfair and he plans to take the case to the Supreme Court.
Christian Martin and his wife, Paula Critchley, had each asked to take the full 35 weeks after the births of their daughters, Lucie and Athena, in April 2009.
Martin had argued the Employment Insurance Act was inconsistent and violated the couple’s right to equality under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A Federal Court judge, however, ruled against the couple.
Normally, under Canadian law, parents may take a total of 35 weeks of parental leave following a birth or adoption while receiving benefits under Canada’s employment insurance program, no matter how many children are born to or adopted by the parents at the same time.
But Martin and Critchley had argued since parents of children born a year apart are entitled to two 35-week benefit periods, parents of twins should receive the same amount of time.
Read more at CBC News.
Truth About Twins 