Updated: April 2025  |  bremo.io financial guides

Maternity Leave in Canada 2025 — EI Benefits Guide

Maternity leave in Canada is funded through Employment Insurance (EI), a federal program that replaces income when you take time off after having a baby. Understanding how it works before your due date means fewer financial surprises when your regular paycheques stop.

Maternity Benefits vs. Parental Benefits

In Canada, "maternity leave" and "parental leave" are two separate EI benefit types that are often confused. Maternity benefits are exclusively for the birth mother and cover time off immediately before and after birth. Parental benefits can be shared between both parents after the baby arrives.

Maternity benefits last up to 15 weeks. They can start as early as 12 weeks before your expected due date and must end no later than 17 weeks after your actual birth week.

How Much Will You Get?

The benefit rate is 55% of your average weekly insurable earnings. To estimate your payments:

1. Take your gross annual income (maximum insurable: $63,200 in 2025)
2. Divide by 52 to get your average weekly earnings
3. Multiply by 55% to get your approximate weekly EI benefit

EI benefits are taxable income. Federal and provincial income tax will be withheld from your payments.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for EI maternity benefits you must:

• Have worked at least 600 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks (or since your last EI claim)
• Have experienced a reduction in earnings of more than 40%
• Be pregnant or have recently given birth
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid work permit

The Two-Week Waiting Period

There is a mandatory two-week waiting period before EI payments begin — similar to a deductible. You won't receive benefits for those first two weeks. Some employers top up your pay during this gap; check your employment contract or HR department.

How to Apply

Apply online through your My Service Canada Account. You'll need your SIN, your employer's contact and payroll information, your Record of Employment (ROE), and banking details for direct deposit. Apply as soon as you stop working — don't delay.

Adding Parental Benefits After Maternity

After your 15 weeks of maternity benefits, you (and/or your partner) can immediately transition to parental benefits:

• Standard parental: 35 weeks at 55% of earnings (shared between both parents)
• Extended parental: 61 weeks at 33% of earnings (shared between both parents)

Most families take maternity (15 wks) + standard parental (35 wks) = up to 50 weeks combined at approximately 55% pay.

Quebec Is Different

Quebec has its own Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) which is separate from federal EI and generally more generous. Quebec residents do not use the federal EI maternity system.

Budgeting on EI

Preparing for the income drop before you go on leave is critical. Strategies include:

• Calculate your exact expected weekly EI benefit in advance
• Build a savings buffer of 2–3 months of expenses before your leave starts
• Apply for the Canada Child Benefit immediately after birth — it's tax-free monthly cash
• Review and pause non-essential subscriptions and expenses
• If your employer has a top-up program, confirm the details and duration