Paternity Rights in Canada

Canada provides many rights and paternity benefits to new fathers across the country. In most cases, the father must be living with the child and providing support to the child as a primary caregiver to be eligible for services.

Benefits

• Fathers living with their children in Canada have the right to claim federal benefits for their children. Service Canada explains that fathers and families caring for children under the age of six are eligible for the universal child care benefit," providing CAD$100 taxable income a month to help cover the costs associated with child care. In addition, some fathers have the right to claim the Canada child tax benefit or the child disability benefit.

Potential

• Fathers in Canada have the right to take paternity, or parental leave to care for a new baby or an adopted child. In addition, the federal employment insurance program provides benefits to fathers who stop working to care for their children. According to Service Canada, most fathers, including some fathers who work from home, have the right to request benefits through the program.

Considerations

• Each of Canada's 13 providence's and territories has its own rules and requirements involving paternity rights regarding parental leave, birth certificate registration and other paternal rights. For more information about the paternity rights in each territory, contact the province or territory's government.