- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- iparenting canada articles
- iparenting canada q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Maternity and Parental Leave
Making the Most of Time with Baby By Gwen Morrison
As of December 31, 2000, the Government of Canada extended the total length of leave for new parents to as many as 52 weeks. This doubles the amount of time a new parent can stay on benefits.
How Does It Work?It is essential that the employee notify the employer at least four weeks prior to commencement of their maternity or parental leave. In the notice, it is necessary to advise the employer of the intended length of time you are taking leave.
The employee must also provide the employer with a certificate of confirmed pregnancy signed by their attending physician in the case of maternity leave.
The Canada Labour Code provides up to 17 weeks of maternity leave a two-week waiting period and 15 weeks of paid benefits for new mothers. New mothers may extend their leave by taking an additional 35 weeks of parental leave after the maternity benefits expire. Parents may also share the parental benefits with the mother taking the maternity leave and the father taking the extended 35 weeks of parental leave.
For parents who decide to share the benefits, there is no waiting period for the second claim. In the past there were delays in getting the second claim started after the mother returned to work.
The initial 17-week maternity leave may begin up to 11 weeks prior to the expected delivery date and may end up to 17 weeks after the actual delivery date.
"I especially enjoyed having a whole year off," says Jody Mccaskill, a pharmacist from London, Ont. "I took off six weeks prior to the birth of the baby, and it was great to have time to prepare."