There's something that's been missing from EVERY conversation that the Canadian government has been having about making EI/CERB claims due to COVID-19-related layoffs:

What happens if you're pregnant and need to go on maternity/parental leave in the next few months? 1/

I am due with my first at the end of August. I have also been temporarily laid off work for 9 days.

I have intentionally NOT applied for Employment Insurance yet. Canada's mat leave system operates through EI. And you have to work at least 600 hours between any two EI claims. 2/

So, some back-of-the-napkin math:

I'll be off work until at least April 7, but potentially longer if things aren't looking up by then. If I start maternity leave about a week before my due date, I'll be off starting August 24. I work 36 hours per week. 3/

If my layoff continues past April 27, OR I have to stop working early due to unforeseen health issues (let's hope not, but you never know), I WILL NOT have the time needed to work 600 hours between a COVID-19-related claim, and my maternity leave claim. 4/

My theory is: my mat leave HAS to last longer than we'll all be home because of the pandemic (oh god, please don't let this go on for an entire year). So it makes 'sense' to sacrifice 2 weeks, or even 2 months, worth of EI now, if it means I get my full 12 months of EI later. 5/

But I'm so lucky. My husband is still working full-time (from home), and we're gonna do alright for money, even if I'm not bringing in any income for a few weeks and I can't make an EI claim.

But not everyone has that buffer. Not everyone still has a spouse who's working. 6/

I called and emailed my local MP this morning ( @RajSaini4KitCen), and his office wasn't able to give me any answers or direction.

How am I supposed to plan for my future, and the future of this kid, when no one can tell me what my options are? 7/

(Note: my MP's office has been SO quick about responding to my calls/emails and acknowledging the issue, and I know that they'll keep me posted as soon as they have information. But they don't have it NOW, which sounds like nobody higher up thinks this is important, yet). 8/

Obviously, I'm not the only pregnant person in this country. So many people are stressing out with me.

I am asking the Canadian government and @JustinTrudeau to guide us on how to apply for assistance now, so that we do not unintentionally sacrifice our parental leaves later. 9/

Please, contact your MPs and ask them to push for answers on how EI claims made now will affect maternity/parental leave in the near future.

I'm also reaching out now to @FinanceCanada, and my other local MPs: @BardishKW, @TimLouisKitCon, @_BryanMay and @marwantabbaramp. /10

This is a crazy enough time as it is. The last thing we need is to heap additional stress and financial uncertainty on people who are expecting a child within the next few months.

None of us need the extra stress right now, I PROMISE. 11/11