Parental Leave by Province in Canada (2026): How Many Weeks You Get
There are two separate questions when you have a baby in Canada: how long can you be off work (job protection, set by your province) and how much money you get (EI benefits, set federally). They don't match — and the leave is usually longer than the pay.
Job-protected leave by province
These are the maximum weeks your employer must hold your job. Maternity/pregnancy leave is for the birth parent; parental leave can be shared.
| Province | Maternity / pregnancy | Parental | Service needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 17 weeks | 61–63 weeks | 13 weeks |
| British Columbia | 17 weeks | up to 62 weeks | None |
| Alberta | 16 weeks | up to 62 weeks | 90 days |
| Most other provinces | ~15–18 weeks | ~35–63 weeks | Varies |
| Quebec | Separate system (QPIP) — different leave and higher pay; see below | ||
The money is federal — and shorter than the leave
EI pays 15 weeks maternity plus up to 35 weeks (standard) or 61 weeks (extended) parental, at 55% / 33% of earnings up to a weekly cap ($729 / $437 in 2026). So you can have the legal right to be off for, say, 78 weeks in total while EI only pays for part of it — the rest is unpaid job protection. See our EI maternity & parental benefits guide for the dollar figures.
Quebec is its own system
Quebec parents use QPIP, not EI: higher income replacement (up to 70–75% under the special plan), a higher earnings ceiling, no 600-hour rule (a $2,000 earnings floor instead), and weeks reserved for the second parent. Job-protected leave is set by Quebec's labour standards.
Plan the gap, not the leave. The biggest first-year surprise isn't the length of leave — it's that the paid weeks are fewer and replace only about half your income. Budget for the unpaid tail before you choose standard vs extended.
Budget your baby's first year
Our Canadian baby cost planner combines the income drop with childcare, gear and medical costs.
Try the Canadian Baby Cost Planner →Frequently asked questions
How long is leave in Ontario / BC / Alberta?
ON: 17 weeks maternity + 61–63 parental. BC: 17 + up to 62. AB: 16 + up to 62.
Is it the same in every province?
EI money is federal and identical (except Quebec/QPIP). Only the job-protected length varies by province.
Can I be off longer than EI pays?
Yes — provincial job protection can exceed the paid EI weeks; the extra weeks are unpaid.
Sources
- Provincial employment standards — Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta maternity/parental leave
- Government of Canada — EI maternity and parental benefits (federal amounts and weeks)
- Québec — Régime québécois d'assurance parentale (QPIP)
Figures as of June 2026. Provincial leave lengths and service rules change — verify with your provincial employment standards. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.