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I agree, 100%. Yes, we pay more taxes up here, but we also see benefits that simply don't exist south of the border.

What shocked me the first time I heard about it is the almost complete lack of any kind of maternity leave. Here in Canada, most workers get a full year. The government provides 60% of the leave-taker's income, and many businesses top that up to 90 or 95%. The leave can be split between parents, with mom taking the first 6 months, say, and dad taking the second.

I understand there are a few jurisdictions in the states that provide 5 or 6 weeks' paid leave, but generally, 12 weeks' unpaid is all anyone can expect - and few take advantage of it, either because their employers object (even though it's entirely legal!), or, more often, they don't have the resouces to manage three months without that income.

It's shameful.