The NSERC Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering proudly support Bill C-243, a proposal for a national maternity assistance program and changes to the Employment Insurance Act. By allowing more flexibility for women who want both a career in Science, Engineering, Technology and Trades (SETT) and a family, Bill C-243 is a step towards breaking down the barriers of entry for women in SETT. 

Read the NSERC Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering full endorsement here: billc-243.ca/endorsements 

Bill C-243 was inspired by the story of Melodie Ballard, who after becoming pregnant was told by her medical practitioner that she could no longer continue her job as a welder, as it was an unsafe environment for her unborn child. Ballard was forced to stop working, and with no programs available to help her situation, she lost her home and was forced to move in with friends.

About Bill C-243:

Part 1 National Maternity Assistance Program: The development of a full federal strategy to create a national maternity assistance program that reflects today’s labour market.

Part 2 Changes to the Employment Insurance Act: Under the current rules, women can only begin claiming their 15 weeks of EI maternity benefits 8 weeks prior to expected confinement or when the child is born, whichever is earliest. This bill proposes an amendment to the Employment Insurance Act which would allow a claimant to use their EI maternity benefits as early as 15 weeks prior to the date of expected confinement.

Read the full Bill here.

Bill C-243 is currently being debated in the House of Commons. If you would like to support Bill C-243 you can write, email and call your local MP to ask them if they support the bill. You can find all of the contact information for your local MP with this easy to use search engine. For other ways to take action visit billc-243.ca/take-action.

Bill C-243 is one step towards gender equality in SETT, however, much more still needs to be done. For example, making career breaks such as parental leave and part-time work more socially acceptable for men and women will increase the representation of women in SETT fields. To keep up-to-date with the initiatives in BC and the Yukon that are working to increase diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Technology, sign up for the WWEST biweekly newsletter.