The Manitoba NDPs Bill 211 has not received the support of the Progressive Conservatives. Bill 211 would have amended maternity and paternity leave legislation in Manitoba allowing parents to take advantage of new employment insurance provisions amended by the Federal Government which allow parents to extend leave benefits over 18 months as opposed to the previous 12 months.

As of now provincial legislation limits employees to 12 months of leave and without legislative changes. In Manitoba employees will not be guaranteed the right to return to their job if they choose to take advantage of the 18 month option.

According to a news release from the NDP, The Refusal of The Pallister Government to give parents the option to stretch maternity and paternity leaves is going to hurt families and they feel that the Pallister Government is not on the side of Manitoba Families.