It’s time to Attach, Canada.

Policy categories don't determine when a child needs to attach. Bill C-59 introduced a 15-week Employment Insurance adoption benefit for parents welcoming a child through adoption or surrogacy, along with corresponding job-protected leave for federally regulated workers. Families formed through kinship and customary care still face unequal access to time, support, and recognition.

Recognition that adoptive families need dedicated leave—not just parental leave

What’s still missing

No equivalent benefit for families formed through kinship or Customary care

Unequal weeks across provinces and territories—where you live affects how much you get.

No federal standard ensuring all permanency pathways are treated equally

Children in care arrangements not covered by EI are left without support

What bill C-59 introduced

15 Weeks of EI adoption benefits for parents welcoming a child through adoption or surrogacy

Corresponding job-protected leave for federally regulated workers

Forward motion—but miles still ahead

Donate to support our work

This advocacy is unfunded. Your support keeps the pressure on decision-makers.

Join the social movement

Help others understand this is about equity, permanency and children's well-being. Use the hashtag #TimeToAttach.

How to help

Your voice moves policy.

Contact your MP

Write a letter. Send an email. Call their office. MPs need to hear that Canadians are paying attention.

“You’re not only mourning the losses in your life, but you have new people trying to adapt to your emotional process.”

— Adopted youth

“Having that time to build attachment helped my adoptive parents understand my needs, build a relationship, and help me gets get the supports I needed.”

— Adopted youth

“A biological mother is given the time to build a healthy relationship with their newborn but foster, adoption, kindship and customary care caregivers have to break cycles and then rebuild them.”

— Adopted youth

What we’re calling for

Equity across every pathway,
across every province.

Provincial equity

Equal weeks available to families regardless of where they live in Canada.

Pathway equity

Equal recognition for adoption, kinship and customary care families.

Time to heal

Acknowledgment that attachment takes time and children shouldn't be penalized for how their family was formed.