April 13, 2023

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg MB—The Manitoba NDP made significant progress for families today as MLA Amanda Lathlin’s bill for paid bereavement leave for grieving parents passed second reading. Lathlin’s bill would allow parents to take up to three days of paid leave following a miscarriage or stillbirth.

“Parents in Manitoba shouldn’t have to suffer financially for taking time to grieve and heal after a stillbirth or miscarriage,” said Lathlin. “We need this common sense and compassionate legislation in place to support parents in these heartbreaking situations. Now it’s up to the PC government to do the right thing and pass this bill into law to support Manitoba families.”

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada estimates that 1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage. New Zealand recently introduced 3 days of paid bereavement leave for grieving mothers and their partners. In Canada if a woman experiences a miscarriage, she can apply for Federal employment insurance, or maternity benefits if the pregnancy ends after 20 weeks. But there is no full wage replacement available for mothers in Manitoba and no paid leave for their partners.