Maternity Leave Ontario Pay Calculator

Use this calculator to determine your maternity leave pay under the Ontario Maternity Leave Act. The Ontario government provides partial pay during approved maternity leave, based on your average weekly earnings and the length of your leave.

How Maternity Leave Pay Works in Ontario

The Ontario Maternity Leave Act provides eligible employees with up to 18 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child. The pay is calculated based on your average weekly earnings and the length of your approved leave.

Key points about maternity leave pay in Ontario:

Pay is based on your average weekly earnings from the 52 weeks before the leave begins
You receive 55% of your average weekly earnings for the first 15 weeks
For weeks 16-18, you receive 40% of your average weekly earnings
Maximum pay is $550 per week for weeks 1-15 and $440 per week for weeks 16-18
You must have worked at least 150 hours in the 52 weeks before the leave begins

Formula for Maternity Leave Pay

For weeks 1-15: Pay = min(0.55 × Average Weekly Earnings, $550)

For weeks 16-18: Pay = min(0.40 × Average Weekly Earnings, $440)

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for maternity leave pay in Ontario, you must meet these criteria:

Be employed by an Ontario employer
Have worked at least 150 hours in the 52 weeks before the leave begins
Have given birth to a child or adopted a child
Have a doctor's note confirming the birth or adoption
Have worked for your employer for at least 12 months

Note: Some employers may offer additional paid leave beyond the Ontario minimum requirements.

How to Calculate Your Pay

To calculate your maternity leave pay:

Determine your average weekly earnings from the 52 weeks before your leave begins
Multiply by 0.55 for weeks 1-15 and by 0.40 for weeks 16-18
Apply the maximum weekly amounts if your calculated pay exceeds them
Multiply by the number of weeks you're on leave

Use our calculator to perform these calculations quickly and accurately.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Employee with $1,200 average weekly earnings

For weeks 1-15: $1,200 × 0.55 = $660 (which is below the $550 maximum)

For weeks 16-18: $1,200 × 0.40 = $480 (which is below the $440 maximum)

Total for 18 weeks: ($660 × 15) + ($480 × 3) = $10,860

Example 2: Employee with $800 average weekly earnings

For weeks 1-15: $800 × 0.55 = $440 (which is below the $550 maximum)

For weeks 16-18: $800 × 0.40 = $320 (which is below the $440 maximum)

Total for 18 weeks: ($440 × 15) + ($320 × 3) = $7,760

Example 3: Employee with $2,000 average weekly earnings

For weeks 1-15: $2,000 × 0.55 = $1,100 (capped at $550)

For weeks 16-18: $2,000 × 0.40 = $800 (capped at $440)

Total for 18 weeks: ($550 × 15) + ($440 × 3) = $9,930

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for maternity leave pay in Ontario?: You must apply through your employer. They will work with the Ontario government to process your claim.
Can I take maternity leave before I give birth?: No, maternity leave must begin within 12 months of the birth or adoption.
What if I work part-time?: Your pay is based on your average weekly earnings, regardless of your current hours.
Can I use vacation time instead of maternity leave pay?: No, vacation time cannot be used to replace maternity leave pay.
What happens if I return to work before completing 18 weeks?: You can return to work after 10 weeks, but you must still complete the full 18 weeks of leave.