Your employees are entitled to all unpaid pregnancy, parental, adoption, and family leaves applicable in their province of work. They are entitled to return to their jobs after a protected leave and should not be terminated because of one. Protected but unpaid leaves include maternity, parental, domestic violence, (Manitoba only), bereavement, and compassionate care. Records of employment are available on request for their EI/QPIP application. 


While sole proprietors are entitled to self-employment insurance special benefits from EI, they are not entitled to a protected leave from their position with you. 


The amount of leave allowed varies by province and territory.



Pregnancy Leave (weeks)

Parental Leave (weeks)

Adoption Leave (weeks)

Federal

17

37

37

Alberta

16

62

62

British Columbia

17

37

37

Manitoba

17

37

37

New Brunswick

17

62

62

Newfoundland and Labrador

17

52

17

Northwest Territories

17

37

37

Nova Scotia

17

52 or 37 if you took pregnancy leave

52

Nunavut

17

37

37

Ontario

17

63 or 61 if you took pregnancy leave

61

Prince Edward Island

17

35

52

Quebec

18 and 5 weeks of paternity leave

52

52

Saskatchewan

18 for pregnant and adoptive parents;

34

37 or 18 if you took maternity leave

Yukon

17

37

37