Those holding fishing licenses in the region will be able to designate substitute operators for their businesses during pregnancy or early parenthood.
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The Canadian government has announced a new maternity and parental leave system specifically designed for inshore fish harvesters in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
Starting January 1, 2025, fishers holding licenses in the region will be able to designate substitute operators for their businesses during pregnancy or early parenthood.
"Canadians shouldn’t have to choose between raising a family and their job. And that is especially true for those that work in Canada’s fishing industry where it is as much a culture and lifestyle as it is a job," Canada's Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans stated in a press announcement.
This new policy ensures that fish harvesters can continue to earn a livelihood without compromising on family responsibilities, and follows feedback from inshore fisher harvesters, industry, and stakeholders.
"This is a big step forward in prioritizing work-life balance in the fishing industry and encouraging a new generation to join the industry. I look forward to continuing to work with Canadians to find ways to support current fish harvesters and grow the future generations of the industry in 2025," said Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, in a press announcement.
“Fishing holds immense social, cultural and spiritual importance for Canadians. As a mother and grandmother, I’m proud to implement a new maternity and parental leave system into our fisheries," she noted.
The leave system mirrors benefits offered under Canada's Employment Insurance (EI), with up to 17 weeks of maternity leave and up to 35 weeks of parental leave. The new maternity and parental substitute operator authorizations will not be counted towards the five-year maximum that applies to Medical Substitute Operator authorizations, Canadian authorities said.
Key features of the leave system include unlimited usage, where licence holders can apply for substitute operators as often as necessary, ensuring ongoing flexibility for families, and a streamlined application process, where eligible licence holders can use existing regional processes to request substitute operators.
The policy aligns with broader efforts to attract young entrants to the fishing industry and support owner-operators, the Ministry emphasised.
For more details, licence holders can contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada through regional offices.
