The Quebec Parental Insurance Plan: a policy example for reducing inequalities, supporting family functioning and healthy child development

Abstract This study traces the historical evolution of the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP), the paid parental leave program introduced in 2006 in Quebec, Canada, and its contribution in promoting economic, health, and gender equity; family well-being; and healthy child development. Drawing on both historical insights and reviewed evidence, it offers evidence-based policy considerations to inform the design of inclusive, equitable, and adaptable parental leave programs. Key considerations for policymakers include broadening eligibility criteria, ensuring financial adequacy of benefits, and fostering gender equity through targeted incentives for paternity and shared parental leave. Flexibility in leave arrangements and continuous program evaluation are also identified as essential considerations to addressing families’ dynamic and evolving needs. Considerations for practitioners include the importance of facilitating informed discussions with families about their parental leave entitlements, emphasizing the role of leave in supporting child development, maternal recovery, and mental health. Researchers are encouraged to adopt an equity-focused approach to studying parental leave by examining its intersections with related policy domains and its differential outcomes across diverse family types. Future studies should also employ longitudinal and mixed-method designs to investigate the mechanisms linking parental leave to family and child outcomes.