Temporary Foreign Worker, Pregnancy Rights, Quebec

[azoreo]

This is probably a repeat question and I'm honestly sorry for that. I've scrounged through lots of government websites in my life and pieced things together until I had concrete evidence of what I needed, but in this case I've not turned up what I need - so I'm asking for help.

My wife is a temporary foreign worker in Quebec. We've been here for 2 years. She's now pregnant. I believe she basically has the same rights as permanent residents in that she is eligible for maternity and parental benefits. Her HR department is suggesting that she's not at all eligible.

Can anyone please indicate if:

a) My wife is eligible for maternity and parental benefits, and QPIP (parental insurance)?
b) Point me to the concrete evidence that establishes that in case I need to fight with HR...(I've been trying to find something that says, in an Labour Act, etc., that a temporary foreign worker has the same rights as a permanent resident, which would then indicate that a TFW is eligible for the benefits described.

 

[Steevy]

Why don't you just give QC Health Ministry Office a call to find out what you are looking for? They have to give you the concrete answer whether she is eligible or not.

 

[Leon]

She should be eligible for EI maternity and parental benefits if she has worked enough hours in the past 12 months. It takes about 600 hours as far as I know (15 weeks full time work).

Why is she asking her HR? She should be asking EI. You can find a document here: http://www.migrantworkerhealth.ca/relinks/Canadian%20Employment%20Insurance%20for%20TFWs-HRSDC-ENG.pdf showing that foreign workers are eligible for benefits.