Canada denies twins' parents dual leaves

OTTAWA, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- A Canadian couple in Ottawa expecting twins next year have been denied in their bid to each receive 35 weeks of parental leave because of having two babies.

The benefit is paid to one parent or split among both by the Employment Insurance agency, which is administered by the Service Canada department, the Globe and Mail reported.

However, Christian Martin and his wife, Paula Critchley, told the newspaper they are going to appeal the denial of two fully paid parental leaves, Martin said.

"The people that I've been talking to that have twins have been saying that it's a lot harder to have two than one," Martin told the newspaper.

Service Canada officials told him multiple births are treated as single births for benefits purposes, which Martin said is unfair.

"The whole purpose behind the EI system was to allow parents to stay home during that first year to care for their children," he said. "And what I'm asking for is just equal consideration to someone who has just one child."

The couple said they are seeking legal advice and have sent a letter to Human Resources Minister Diane Finley, the Globe said.