Maternity Pay Ontario Calculator

Use this calculator to determine your maternity pay entitlements in Ontario. The Ontario government provides partial wage replacement benefits to eligible employees during maternity leave. This guide explains how the system works, who qualifies, and how to calculate your benefits.

How Maternity Pay Works in Ontario

Ontario's maternity pay program provides partial wage replacement to eligible employees who take maternity leave. The benefits are funded through payroll deductions from employers and are designed to help parents care for their newborns.

The program has two main components:

Maternity Benefit (MB): Provides partial wage replacement during the first 18 weeks of maternity leave
Parental Leave (PL): Provides partial wage replacement during the second 18 weeks of parental leave

Note: The Ontario government has recently updated the maternity pay program. This calculator reflects the current rates and eligibility requirements as of June 2023.

Eligibility Requirements

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

Employment Requirements

You must be employed by an eligible employer
You must have worked at least 12 months for the employer in the 24 months before the leave starts
You must have earned at least $1,000 in the 12 months before the leave starts

Leave Requirements

You must take at least 18 weeks of maternity leave
The leave must start within 12 months of the birth of your child
You must be the primary caregiver for the newborn

Eligibility = (Employment Criteria AND Leave Criteria)

How to Calculate Maternity Pay

The amount of maternity pay you receive depends on your average weekly earnings and the number of weeks you take leave. The maximum benefit rate is 55% of your average weekly earnings.

Calculation Formula

Maternity Pay = (Average Weekly Earnings × 0.55) × Number of Weeks

Where:

Average Weekly Earnings = Total earnings in the 12 months before leave / 52 weeks
Maximum benefit rate = 55%
Maximum duration = 18 weeks

Example Calculation

If your average weekly earnings are $1,200 and you take 18 weeks of leave:

Maternity Pay = ($1,200 × 0.55) × 18 = $11,880

Worked Examples

Scenario	Weekly Earnings	Weeks Taken	Maternity Pay
Low earnings	$800	18	$7,920
Average earnings	$1,200	18	$11,880
High earnings	$2,000	18	$19,800

These examples show how your earnings and leave duration affect the total maternity pay received.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for maternity pay in Ontario?: You must apply through your employer. Your employer will deduct the maternity pay from your wages during your leave.
Can I take maternity leave before my baby is born?: Yes, you can take up to 18 weeks of maternity leave before your baby is born, but you must be the primary caregiver.
What happens if I don't take all 18 weeks of leave?: You will receive prorated benefits based on the number of weeks you take. For example, if you take 12 weeks, you'll receive 67% of the full benefit.
Is maternity pay taxable?: No, maternity pay is not taxable income. It is considered a benefit, not wages.
Can I combine maternity pay with other benefits?: Yes, you may be eligible for additional benefits such as parental leave or employment insurance benefits.