Canada, typically a top 10 finisher in the United Nation's top 10 best places to live, is lagging in workers benefits. So says a study by Mc Gill University. The study uncovers the truth that Canada basically sucks when it comes to basic worker benefits.

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The school's Institute for Health and Social Policy recently conducted an international survey to measure Canadian laws and practices against those of 180 other countries in areas such as maternity leave, annual paid vacations, sick leave and breaks for breastfeeding mothers.

Some of the findings include

* most Canadian workers with at least 1 year of work are guaranteed only 2 weeks vacation. Whereas in other countries it is 3 weeks

* Of the 180 countries studied, 156 provide leave for sick workers, with 81 of them offering full wage replacement. Canada only offers 55% and most provinces and territories don't offer job protection beyond 12 days

* 100+ countries offer new moms with complete wage payment during maternity leave. Canada only offers 55%, except for Quebec which offers between 70-75% of their full wage

* 114 countries have laws which mandate that new mothers be allowed "breastfeeding breaks" at work. No such laws exist in Canada

* Canada is one of 39 countries which allows leaves for dependents with serious illnesses

Of course, many people in Unions enjoy longer periods of vacation and time off, but everyone else gets stiffed by the provinces minimum standards for vacation times.

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