The condition of operational requirements was removed for leave periods of more than a year. For periods of a year or less the leave must be scheduled in a manner that ensures continuing service delivery. The return date from leave can be changed if there are no additional costs to the Employer. The current grandfathering provision has been eliminated. The same provisions and conditions as for care and nurturing.
Various changes bring language more in line with the Canada Labour Code.
Introduced a new parental allowance. Introduced maternity and parental leave without pay allowances for totally disabled employees. Parental leave now includes the newborn child of a common-law spouse. After almost two years of negotiations with little progress, a conciliation board was established in late 1998. Operational employees were in a legal strike position as of December 16, 1998.