Single Parents in Canada Get Clipped by Benefits

Being a single parent in Canada is no walk in the park. You juggle work, childcare, finances, and emotional support, all while navigating a system that sometimes feels tilted towards those in coupled relationships. It’s a frustration familiar to many single parents, and one that a union member recently highlighted in a conversation.

The member’s concern? The seemingly unequal treatment single parents receive in payroll benefits and programs. The specific example? Airline employee flight benefits. As a single parent, the member can only extend these benefits to her adult child if she’s designated as a “nominated partner” – a category with limitations. Meanwhile, married and common-law partners of employees enjoy unlimited flight privileges.

This stings, the member says. It feels like an outdated system that doesn’t recognize the realities of single-parent families. The member’s adult child is her family, her responsibility, and her biggest supporter. Shouldn’t the member be able to share this benefit with her adult child in the same way a married colleague can with their common law partner?

The member is right. Yet, the shadow of the 20th-century nuclear family result in outdated benefit structures that often overlook the unique financial realities of single-parent households.

There’s a growing movement advocating for change. Policymakers and businesses are slowly starting to recognize this gap. Single parent advocacy groups are lobbying for reforms that reflect the changing face of Canadian families.

Here’s what you can do as a single parent and union member:

Raise your voice and connect with others. Contact your local MP, Employer, and Union leadership directly. Share your story and urge them to consider the needs of single-parent families in their benefit structures. Share your experiences and frustrations. Advocate for policy changes. Often, the system requires a nudge to recognize that change is needed.