Changes to Maternity/Parental Leave Benefits

Overview

On November 9, the Government of Canada announced changes to Employment Insurance benefits for parental/adoptive leave that will take effect December 3, 2017 (as previously announced in the 2017 Federal Budget statement). Eligible parents in Canada, outside Quebec, can choose between the Standard Parental Benefit or the Extended Parental Benefit. The Standard Parental Benefit provides 35 weeks for a period of up to 12 months at a rate of 55% of an eligible parent's average weekly earnings, to a maximum of $543 per week. With the Extended Parental Benefit, parents receive up to 61 weeks of benefits over 18 months at 33% of average weekly earnings, to a maximum of $326 per week. 

Outside of federally regulated workplaces, where the changes will take effect December 3, the provinces/territories must make legislative and policy changes to define the conditions of job-protected leave that will allow the extended leave to become an option for new parents. 

Birth mothers will now be eligible to receive benefits 12 weeks prior to their due date, compared to the existing 9 weeks before birth.

The announcement stimulated considerable public debate about the form and function of maternity/parental leave benefits in Canada, particularly with regard to eligibility, duration, the amount of the payment, gender issues, the alignment of parental leave with affordable child care and equity. 

This page presents the new policies, responses and associated news coverage.