The B.C. government is proposing a new legislation that will make it easier for local elected officials to take parental leave when they become a parent.

The changes will support gender equity and help more people with caregiving responsibilities participate in local governments, a Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs media release noted.

Currently, parental leave rules are different throughout B.C. Some local governments have their own policies. Others require elected officials to apply for leave and address them case by case.

This inconsistency can be a barrier for people who wish to serve their communities, the ministry said.

“As a public office holder and a mother, I know how important it is to welcome a new child without barriers and stress,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

“Clear, consistent parental leave standards don’t just support parents, they empower more caregivers to step forward and lead. This legislation helps make it easier for people to serve their communities while raising children, making public service more accessible, inclusive and supportive.”

If passed, this new legislation creates minimum standards that every local government must follow, such as:

* a clear definition of parental leave for all parents or parents to be for pregnancy, birth or adoption;

* a minimum of 26 weeks of leave and flexible start dates that can start as many as four weeks before the expected birth/adoption or as many as 26 weeks afterward;

* local elected officials to continue receiving their pay during leave, but they can choose not to receive;

* local elected officials not disqualified from office for missing council or board meetings during parental leave;

* ability of the province to make regulations, if needed, to support the new leave rules.

The amendments will apply to the Community Charter, Local Government Act, Vancouver Charter, Islands Trust Act and Cultus Lake Park Act to create consistent, provincewide parental leave standards for mayors, councillors, regional district directors, Islands Trust trustees and Cultus Lake Park Board members.

“This bill will go a long way to support new parents who also serve as local community leaders by ensuring they have adequate time and energy to spend with their child,” said Cori Ramsay, Union of BC Municipalities president.

 “We are pleased to see the province introduce the same parental leave entitlements for local elected officials that provincially elected leaders also have. This provision also sends a signal that people from all stages of life have a place in local government leadership.”

The proposed change does not include school trustees.

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