Ontario Maternity Leave Calculator

Ontario's maternity leave program provides eligible employees with paid time off to care for a new child. This calculator helps you determine your entitlement, eligibility, and pay based on your employment status and weeks worked.

How Ontario Maternity Leave Works

Ontario's maternity leave program is designed to support new parents while they care for a newborn. The program provides:

Up to 26 weeks of paid leave
Continuation of group health benefits
Protection against job loss
Access to parental leave after the first year

The program is funded through a combination of employer contributions and government support. Employers must contribute to the Ontario Parental Leave Plan (OPLP) for employees to qualify for maternity leave benefits.

Eligibility Requirements

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

Be employed by an Ontario employer
Have worked at least 12 months for the same employer
Have worked at least 1,500 hours in the 12 months before the leave starts
Be expecting a child or have recently given birth
Be eligible for employment insurance benefits

Note: Eligibility rules may vary slightly depending on your employment status and the specific terms of your employment contract.

Pay Entitlement

Your maternity leave pay is calculated based on your average weekly earnings and the number of weeks you take:

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

The maximum pay entitlement is 26 weeks, but you can take up to 52 weeks if you qualify for parental leave after the first year.

Example Calculation

If you earn $1,200 per week and take 10 weeks of maternity leave:

($1,200 × 0.55) × 10 = $660 × 10 = $6,600

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your average weekly earnings and the number of weeks you plan to take in the calculator on the right. The calculator will show you:

Your estimated maternity leave pay
Comparison to average Ontario earnings
Eligibility status based on your inputs

The calculator uses Ontario's standard maternity leave pay rate of 55% of your average weekly earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many weeks of maternity leave am I entitled to?

You are entitled to up to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave. After the first year, you can take up to 52 weeks of parental leave.

What happens if I don't take all my leave at once?

You can take your leave in one continuous period or in separate periods, as long as you take it within the 52-week window after the birth.

Can I return to work part-time during my leave?

Yes, you can return to work part-time during your leave, but you must notify your employer and follow the terms of your employment contract.