Maternity and parental leave in Canada: EI benefits explained

EI maternity benefits

EI maternity benefits are available for up to 15 weeks. Only the person who is pregnant or has recently given birth can receive them, and they cannot be shared. At the time we checked, they paid 55% of your average insured earnings, up to a maximum of $729 a week. Maternity benefits can start up to 12 weeks before your due date or the birth.

EI parental benefits: standard or extended

You must choose between standard and extended parental benefits. Once a parental benefit week has been paid, or the other parent has been paid in a shared arrangement, you cannot switch.

• Standard parental benefits: up to 40 weeks, shared between parents, but one parent can receive no more than 35 weeks. They pay 55% of earnings, up to $729 a week, and must be used within 52 weeks of the birth or placement.
• Extended parental benefits: up to 69 weeks, shared between parents, but one parent can receive no more than 61 weeks. They pay 33% of earnings, up to $437 a week, and must be used within 78 weeks.
• Weeks do not have to be taken one after another, as long as they fall within the allowed period.

Who qualifies

• You need 600 insured hours of work in the 52 weeks before your claim starts, or since your last claim if that is shorter.
• Your regular weekly earnings must have dropped by more than 40% for at least one week.
• Apply as soon as possible after you stop working. Waiting can cost you benefits.

Quebec is different

If you live in Quebec, you apply to the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) instead of the federal EI maternity and parental benefits. The weeks, rates and rules are different.

Job-protected leave

EI pays you a benefit, but the right to take time off work and return to your job comes from employment standards law, which differs by province and territory, and for federally regulated workplaces. Check the length of leave and any service requirements with your provincial labour standards office. Some employers also top up EI payments, so ask about this in your workplace.