The Canadian federal government mandates unpaid time off work for pregnancy, childbirth and care for a baby or child after birth or coming into a parent's care.
Most provinces and territories in Canada have amended their Labour Code to reflect these changes.
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In addition to unpaid leave from your job, you and your partner may be eligible for paid
leave benefits through the federal government’s employment insurance plan. If you live in Quebec, you receive payment through the
Quebec Parental Insurance PlanOpens a new window.
Who is entitled to unpaid leave?
All pregnant, employed people are entitled to unpaid maternity leave. Two provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan) extend this same leave to adoptive parents.
All employed parents (birth and adoptive) are also entitled to unpaid parental leave. This leave can be taken by one or both parents, at the same time or one after the other. In some regions, both parents can each take one full period of parental leave; in others, they must share it. See below to check the employment standards in your area.
How much unpaid leave am I entitled to?
It depends on where you live and work. The charts below outline the length of leave across the country, and for those who work in industries under federal jurisdiction.
Unpaid maternity leave
| Place of employment | Unpaid maternity leave (in weeks) |
|---|
| Industries under federal jurisdiction (e.g., airlines, banks, federal civil service, post offices, radio and TV stations, inter-provincial/territorial railway and road transportation) | 17 |
| Alberta | 16 |
| British Columbia | 17 |
| Manitoba | 17 |
| New Brunswick | 17 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 17 (also extended to adoptive parents) |
| Northwest Territories | 17 |
| Nova Scotia | 16 |
| Nunavut | 17 |
| Ontario | 17 |
| Prince Edward Island | 17 |
| Quebec | 18 plus:
5 days for birth or adoption
5 weeks for new dads at birth (paternity leave) |
| Saskatchewan | 19 (also extended to adoptive parents) |
| Yukon | 17 |
Unpaid parental leave
| Place of employment | Unpaid parental Leave (in weeks) |
|---|
| Industries under federal jurisdiction (e.g., airlines, banks, federal civil service, post offices, radio and TV stations, inter-provincial/territorial railway and road transportation) | 63 (71 if both parents work for an industry under federal jurisdiction) Total of maternity + parental leave must not exceed 78 |
| Alberta | 62 |
| British Columbia | 62 (61 if maternity leave taken) |
| Manitoba | 63 |
| New Brunswick | 62 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 61 |
| Northwest Territories | 37 |
| Nova Scotia | 77 (61 if maternity leave taken) |
| Nunavut | 37 |
| Ontario | 63 (61 if maternity leave taken) |
| Prince Edward Island | 62 |
| Quebec | 65 |
| Saskatchewan | 63 (59 if maternity/adoption leave taken) |
| Yukon | 37 |
Other details about unpaid maternity, adoption and parental leave
Usually, to qualify for
maternity, adoption or
parental leave, you must have completed a certain amount of time with a company. However some provinces, such as Nova Scotia and Quebec, do not have minimum time requirements.
In all regions, your employer can request a medical certificate confirming the pregnancy or birth. You should also notify your employer two to four weeks in advance of your intent to take leave (this requirement is six weeks in Alberta).
Bear in mind that all details regarding leave are subject to change, and may vary from place to place. Be sure to check with your employer and the website of your provincial/territorial employment standards or, if you work in an industry under federal jurisdiction, the Government of Canada’s website:
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