https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 13:33:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2528035 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 16:17:23 +0000 Goldengirl 2528035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Finally spoke with someone at EI, in case anyone else ever needs this information. She said as long as I've fulfilled 600 insurable hours in the 52-weeks before the claim, I'm good. Doesn't matter when it was. The maternity wage is not based on the previous X amount of weeks. It's an average of your insurable earnings. So wouldn't matter if I'm not making anything in the 6 months before applying. In her words "we can't calculate something based on zero." I thought for sure I wouldn't qualify anymore so I am pleasantly surprised! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2523028 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 22:05:48 +0000 MrsB2012 2523028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You need 600 hours in the last 52 weeks to qualify for EI. However, your maternity wage is based on your last 21 weeks of work.<br /> Trying to call is nearly impossible, you should go into your service Canada centre, and if they can't help you, they can get you on the phone with someone who can. ( And then you can skip the 3 hour wait if you call from home.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2522963 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 20:21:13 +0000 Goldengirl 2522963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@delight: Hey! Yah I had researched that option awhile ago when I thought of going freelance but not enough time. I meant if I take a short-term (say 6 months) contract (where I'm on the payroll, getting deductions for EI and CPP)... vs permanent employment where I'd have the job to return to at the end. Just trying to come up with potential options for getting me out of what is becoming a not-great work situation that feels too high-stress for what I want right now, considering everything going on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2522934 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 19:44:23 +0000 delight 2522934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Goldengirl: what do you mean by contract job? I am an independent contractor/ self employed individual. Up until a few years ago (2011 I believe) we could not collect benefits. Now we can, but we have to opt into the service and pay into EI on our taxes. Just want to make sure you don't have to sign up for that or something! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2522920 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 19:15:25 +0000 Rockies11 2522920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Goldengirl: whether a contact position is insurable depends on the contract. It's 600 hours in 52 weeks of insurable work. Service Canada is a nightmare to get ahold of but if you keep calling eventually you will get through and they are really helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2522900 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 18:58:14 +0000 YouGotMe 2522900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Goldengirl: You should be able to call them, I'm pretty sure the hours for the toll free number are longer than the office. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2522884 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 18:42:10 +0000 Goldengirl 2522884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@YouGotMe: Thanks... unfortunately the hours of service canada are so brutal so I missed the window. Will try to sort it out during the day. This stuff is so confusing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2522831 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 17:35:28 +0000 YouGotMe 2522831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>you should contact service Ontario. </p> <p>You can start your leave up to 17 weeks before the birth of the baby so that is an option if you aren't enjoying your job... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2522826 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 17:26:37 +0000 Goldengirl 2522826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: @QBbride: the website states:You may be eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) maternity or parental benefits if:<br /> you are employed in insurable employment.</p> <p>So I think that means you do have to be employed to be eligible for the benefits :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2522798 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 16:57:12 +0000 QBbride 2522798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, as long as you have worked 600 hours in the last year you're eligible for EI. </p> <p>If you're in a contract job, I believe as long as you have the 600 hours, you're good. You just won't be eligible for a top up from your employer. </p> <p>Hope that helps!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2522777 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 16:33:11 +0000 mrswin 2522777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Goldengirl: I believe you have to have worked the 600 hours over the previous 52 weeks. Let me see if I can find something</p> <p><a href="http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/reports/ei/maternity_parental.page#h2.1-h3.1" rel="nofollow">http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/reports/ei/maternity_parental.page#h2.1-h3.1</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mat-leave-questions-for-canadians#post-2522760 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 16:08:20 +0000 Goldengirl 2522760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hoping someone knows the answers because the Internet isn't being helpful. For any Canadians out there, do you know if:</p> <p>You need to be currently employed to get mat leave even if you did you 600 hours in the past year? For instance if you quit or lost your job and didn't pay into EI for the next several months, would you still qualify?</p> <p>And also, if you are on a contract job (ie not permanent full time) do you still qualify for mat leave?</p> <p>Am having some concerns with my current role and would love to leave but feeling trapped now. Trying to understand what my options are.</p> <p>Thanks! </p>