Ontario Maternity Benefits Program

For most women with healthy pregnancies, it is safe to work until just before childbirth. However, the choice of when to stop working is yours as it depends on your health, the health of your baby, and the type of work that you do. Speaking to your maternity care provider about this can help you plan for when you will stop working.

Canada's federal Employment Insurance (EI) provides maternity and parental leave benefits to individuals who are pregnant, have recently given birth, are adopting a child, or are caring for a newborn. It is important to know that the right to parental leave is independent of the right to pregnancy leave. Furthermore, if you are self-employed, you may also be eligible to receive maternity and parental benefits.

For more information on the qualifications for maternity and parental leave, how to apply and receive these benefits and your rights and responsibilities, please check out the resources below.

• The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada - Working during pregnancy
• The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada - Working during pregnancy
• The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada - Maternity leave information for maternity care providers
• Service Canada - Maternity and parental leave, birth registration, and child benefits
• Service Canada - Employment insurance: eligibility, application, forms and financial info
• Service Canada - Employment insurance: special benefits for self-employed parents
• Service Canada - Apply for employment insurance benefits online
• Service Canada - All you need to know about maternity and parental benefits
• Ontario Ministry of Labour - Pregnancy and parental leave: your rights as an employee
• Ontario Ministry of Labour - The Employment Standards Act (ESA): FAQs