If you’re expecting a baby and unsure about how maternity leave works in Canada, you’re not alone. Many parents wonder, “How long is maternity leave in Canada?” The good news is that the leave period is quite generous compared with many other countries.
Preparing for a new arrival brings enough uncertainties as it is, especially for working parents who may not be absolutely clear on their rights, and the benefits available to them. So we’ve created this simple Remitly guide to explain maternity and parental leave in Canada in clear, easy-to-understand terms.
We’ll take a look at how long maternity leave lasts, who’s eligible, and how to apply. We’ll also explain the difference between maternity and parental leave, outline the key requirements, and answer common questions so you can feel confident and prepared as you plan for your growing family.
Maternity leave vs. parental leave: what’s the difference?
Maternity leave is designed specifically for someone who’s pregnant or has recently given birth. Its main purpose is to allow the birthing parent to recover physically and emotionally after delivery. Maternity leave is essentially the healing period after welcoming a new baby: a time to rest and focus on recovery.
However, parental leave in Canada is available to all parents, including mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents, to care for the newborn or newly adopted child. Using the same analogy, parental leave is the caregiving period, when parents actively bond with and support their child.
Typically, maternity leave comes first, immediately following the birth, and parental leave follows afterwards. Both types of leave fall under Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) benefits program, which provides partial income replacement. This ensures parents can dedicate this time and their attention to the child’s well-being having offset some of their lost income.
How long is maternity leave in Canada?
In Canada, EI maternity benefits provide financial support for up to 15 weeks for the birthing parent. You can start them as early as 12 weeks before your due date, but the benefit period must finish no later than 17 weeks after the actual or expected birth.
This doesn’t mean you get 17 weeks of leave. What it actually means is that the 15 weeks of maternity benefits must fit somewhere inside that overall window.
While EI maternity benefits are a federal program, provincial and territorial laws may have slightly different rules regarding job protection during maternity leave. For example, some provinces may guarantee that your job or a similar position is available when you return. This provides extra security alongside your Employment Insurance benefits: these protections are in addition to EI benefits and do not affect them.
How long is parental leave?
After maternity leave ends, parental leave in Canada offers two parental leave options, with different lengths and variable benefit rates. So it’s essential to consider which best fits your family’s needs:
| Type of leave | Total weeks available | Maximum weeks one parent can take | Benefit rate | Must be used within |
| Standard parental leave | 40 weeks | 35 weeks | 55% of insurable earnings | 52 weeks (12 months) after birth/placement |
| Extended parental leave | 69 weeks | 61 weeks | 33% of insurable earnings | 78 weeks (18 months) after birth/placement |
Standard parental leave
This option allows up to 40 weeks of leave in total for both parents combined. However, no individual parent can take more than 35 weeks. This encourages parents to share the leave between them and both spend important time with their baby or adopted child. Under this option, parents receive EI benefits at 55% of their average insurable earnings, up to the yearly maximum.
Extended parental leave
This option provides a longer total leave of up to 69 weeks. In this case, one parent cannot take more than 61 weeks, ensuring at least eight weeks remain available for the other parent. The trade-off for longer leave is a lower EI benefit rate: 33% of average insurable earnings, also up to the annual maximum.
Deciding between standard and extended parental leave is a crucial choice because it directly affects how much you receive in EI payments. You need to make this decision before parental benefits begin, and you can’t change it once payments start.
Comparing both lengths of parental leave carefully ensures you select the plan that best supports your family’s financial situation and caregiving needs.
Who is eligible for maternity and parental leave benefits?
To qualify for EI maternity or parental benefits in Canada, you need to meet certain eligibility requirements. Here are the main criteria:
- Insurable hours
You should have worked at least 600 insurable hours in the 52 weeks before the start of your claim or since your last EI claim. This includes part-time or “gig” work, so don’t worry if you’re not a full-time employee. - Reduction in earnings
Your weekly earnings should drop by more than 40%. This reduction needs to be directly related to taking maternity or parental leave in Canada. - For EI maternity benefits
You should be pregnant or have recently given birth. - For EI parental benefits
You should be a parent caring for a newborn or a newly adopted child. - Self-employed individuals
You may also be eligible if you have voluntarily registered for EI, contributed to the program, and been enrolled for at least 12 months before applying.
These rules help make sure benefits go to parents who have been actively working and contributing to the EI system, whether employed, self-employed, or working in less traditional jobs. They also help make sure no parent is left out because of their work situation, giving families a more stable start during early childcare.
How to apply for maternity and parental leave
If you’re eligible under the rules we’ve outlined above, here’s how you apply:
Step 1: Talk to your employer
Let your employer know in writing as soon as you decide your leave dates. Notice requirements vary by province and workplace, and some employers may ask for several weeks’ notice. Check your employment contract or provincial guidelines, and consider keeping a dated copy of the notice you provide.
Step 2: Gather your documents
Before you start your application, be sure to have the following ready:
- The names and addresses of all your employers from the past 52 weeks.
- The dates you worked for each employer and why you stopped working.
- A clear explanation if you quit or were dismissed from any job in the past 52 weeks.
- Your full mailing address and home address (if they’re different).
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- The other parent’s SIN if you plan to share benefits.
- The last name at birth of one of your parents.
- Your banking information for direct deposit (institution name, transit number, account number).
- Your child’s expected or actual date of birth.
- If you’re adopting, the date your child was placed with you, their full name, and the address of the adoption agency.
- Your photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or provincial ID).
- Any medical documents your employer or EI requests (if you’re applying for EI maternity benefits before your child is born).
- Record of Employment (ROE). Your employer provides this. Some employers submit ROE electronically, so the government may already have it.
Confirm with your employer whether your ROE was sent electronically or if they’ll provide a physical copy. EI uses the ROE to review your claim, so it’s important to know its status.
If it hasn’t been submitted, reach out to your employer or the EI call centre to prevent any delays in processing your application.
Step 3: Apply online through the Government of Canada
Start your EI claim and upload any required documents through the Service Canada online portal. It’s best to apply as soon as you stop working, or you’re about to stop, as waiting for too long might delay your benefits.
The online application usually takes an hour, but you can save your progress and return within 72 hours using a temporary password. You’ll also need to provide your email address, so Service Canada can contact you if anything comes up.
Step 4: Wait for a decision and follow up
Once you apply, Service Canada will review your claim. You’ll receive a benefit statement in the mail, and you may receive notification online, explaining whether your claim was approved and the amount you’ll receive. If there’s a delay or you have questions, reach out to Service Canada directly with your application details and ROE information.
Step 5: Keep records and stay available for follow up
Hold on to copies of your application, your written notice to your employer, your ROE, and any letters or emails from Service Canada. If Service Canada requests additional information, respond quickly to prevent any interruptions to your benefits.
Maternity and parental leave in Canada made simple
Maternity leave in Canada offers up to 15 weeks of benefits, giving the birthing parent time to recover and adjust after childbirth. Parental leave comes next, providing families with a choice between up to 40 weeks of standard leave or up to 69 weeks of extended leave between them.
Understanding these options, including who qualifies and how the benefit rates differ, helps families plan their time away from work and manage their income during this important stage. Although the process can feel overwhelming at first, learning the key differences and knowing how to apply make it much easier to choose the option that fits your family’s needs.
For the most current details, visit the Government of Canada website and explore the resources available. Planning for your growing family is an exciting milestone, and understanding your leave options helps you prepare with confidence. If you have a little one on the way, we at Remitly wish you all the very best!
FAQs
Can both parents take leave at the same time?
Yes, both parents can share parental leave and choose to take it at the same time or one after the other. This flexibility gives families more control over their schedules and helps both parents spend meaningful time with the child.
Is my job protected while I’m on leave?
Yes, your job is protected under federal and most provincial employment standards. Employers are required to return you to your position, or an equivalent one, once your leave ends. This protection helps ensure that taking time off to care for your child does not affect your employment or career stability.
What about Quebec? Is it different?
Yes, Quebec runs its own program called the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP). It has its own set of rules, benefit rates, and leave options that differ from the federal EI system. QPIP generally offers more flexible choices and, in some cases, higher benefit rates. You can find the full details on the QPIP website.
Can I work while receiving maternity or parental benefits?
Yes, you can work part-time while receiving benefits, but the amount you earn might affect how much EI pays you. This allows you to stay somewhat involved in work while receiving support. Reporting all income accurately is important so your payment stays correct and you avoid any repayment issues later.
How do self-employed parents qualify for benefits?
Self-employed parents can qualify if they have voluntarily registered for EI and been part of the program for at least 12 months before applying. If you’re self-employed, you also need to keep your EI special benefits premium up to date, as these contributions determine your eligibility when you submit a claim.
Can parental leave be split between parents multiple times?
Yes, parental leave can be shared or divided between parents more than once, as long as it’s planned in advance. For example, one parent might take a few weeks off, return to work, and then the other parent can begin their leave.