Canada Maternity Leave Benefits and Parental Leave: An Overview
September 19, 2024 · Residency by investment · 9 min read
Canada maternity leave benefits and parental benefits give families peace of mind and solid government support as they care for and raise their children through the critical early years.
Canada is widely regarded as having one of the most comprehensive social welfare systems in the world. Its generous maternity and parental benefits give families peace of mind and solid support as they care for and raise their children through the critical early years.
Maternity and parental leave in Canada at a glance
In Canada, maternity leave entitlements are set out in employment standards legislation and in the Employment Insurance (EI) program, which together secure a range of rights and benefits for expectant mothers. These typically include:
Employment Insurance (EI) benefits
The Employment Insurance Act provides certain benefits to workers who meet the eligibility criteria. Eligible mothers can receive financial support through EI while on maternity leave, helping to offset the income they lose during that time.
- Maternity benefits are available only to the person who gives birth. They pay up to 55% of average weekly insurable earnings for a maximum of 15 weeks, up to C$650 per week.
- Parental benefits are available to parents of a newborn or newly adopted child. Parents can choose either standard or extended parental benefits.
- Standard parental benefits: parents can share up to 40 weeks of benefits, with one parent receiving no more than 35 weeks. The benefit rate is 55% of average weekly insurable earnings, up to C$668 per week.
- Extended parental benefits: parents can share up to 69 weeks of benefits, with one parent receiving no more than 61 weeks. The benefit rate is 33% of average weekly insurable earnings, up to C$401 per week.
- A person who gives birth can receive both maternity benefits and a share of the parental benefits.
For example, if a couple chooses standard parental benefits, the mother can take 15 weeks of maternity leave followed by a further 35 weeks of parental leave, while the father can claim 5 weeks of parental leave. If the mother takes fewer than 35 weeks, the father can take more than 5 weeks.
Quebec runs its own plan, with different rules. New mothers can choose either 18 weeks of maternity benefits at 70% of earnings or 15 weeks at 75% of earnings. Parents can share up to 32 weeks of parental benefits, at 70% of weekly earnings for the first 7 weeks and 55% for the remaining 25 weeks, or they can instead choose 25 weeks of benefits at 75% of earnings. Ontario, for its part, allows up to 17 weeks of pregnancy leave under its employment standards, compared with the standard 15 weeks of EI maternity benefits.
Job protection rights
When maternity or parental leave ends, a returning employee must be reinstated in their former position or transferred to a comparable position at the same workplace, with equivalent pay and benefits.
Many Canadian provinces have also introduced stronger job protections for parents on maternity leave. Some, for example, have lengthened the period during which employers must hold an employee’s job open during maternity leave, providing job security and making for a smoother return to work.
Health benefits
During maternity leave, new mothers may continue to receive certain health benefits, such as coverage of medical expenses and prescription drugs, and access to essential healthcare services.
EI eligibility for maternity and parental benefits
To qualify for maternity and parental benefits under Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) program, expectant mothers must meet the following requirements:
- Have paid EI premiums: contributions deducted from their pay and paid into the Government of Canada’s Employment Insurance program.
- Have at least 600 hours of insurable employment in the 52 weeks before the start of their first claim or, if they have received EI benefits before, at least 600 hours of insurable employment since the start of their previous claim, counting no more than the last 52 weeks.
- Be unable to work, or be working less than before, because of pregnancy or caring for a child, with their weekly earnings reduced by more than 40% as a result.
Parents can apply for EI benefits up to 8 weeks before the expected due date, either online through the Service Canada website or in person at a Service Canada Centre.
The Government of Canada always strives to create the best possible conditions for parents caring for their children in the early years, while providing comprehensive benefits that let people build and grow a stable, lasting family life with confidence. These factors have helped make Canada an attractive relocation destination for individuals and families seeking a stable, supportive environment.
If you are interested in investor immigration to Canada, contact IMM Group or leave your details below. Our experienced advisors will provide detailed guidance and help assess your application’s prospects of success. We are committed to keeping your personal data confidential and will use the information you provide only to advise on your family’s application.
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