Scenario Planner
Explore your leave scenario and estimate your income. Add a partner to see the full picture.
Personalize your parental leave plan.
Be prepared. Estimate your income during leave.
Leave Duration: Standard Plan
Total Weekly Income:
$0.00 / week
Shareable Parental Weeks
40 parental weeks
55% Salary
Fill in parent information and click "Estimate My Income" to see your personalized leave scenario.
Understanding Ontario EI Maternity & Parental Benefits
Ontario's Employment Insurance (EI) Standard Plan provides maternity benefits plus shareable parental benefits. Unlike Quebec's QPIP, EI is a federal program with no exclusive paternity weeks.
- Waiting Period: 1 week unpaid (served once per claim)
- Maternity Benefits: 15 weeks at 55% of insurable earnings, max $729/week (maternity only)
- Parental Benefits (Standard): 35 base weeks shareable at 55%, plus 5 sharing bonus weeks when both parents claim (40 total), max 35 per parent, max $729/week
Maternity Benefits (15 weeks - maternity only)
Maternity benefits can begin as early as 12 weeks before the due date. They must be taken within 17 weeks after the due date or actual birth date, whichever is later. Only the person who is pregnant or has recently given birth can receive maternity benefits.
Parental Benefits (35 + 5 bonus = 40 shared weeks)
Standard parental benefits provide 35 base weeks shareable at 55% of insurable earnings (max $729/week). When both parents share, 5 bonus weeks are unlocked for a total of 40 weeks. Neither parent can take more than 35 weeks. Benefits must be taken within 52 weeks (12 months) of birth.
Both parents can receive parental benefits at the same time or one after another. The paternity parent can begin parental leave while the maternity parent is still on maternity leave.
Key Differences from Quebec (QPIP)
- No Exclusive Paternity Weeks: EI does not provide non-transferable weeks for the paternity parent (QPIP provides 5 or 3)
- Lower Benefit Rates: EI pays 55% (standard) vs QPIP's 70-75%. Maximum insurable earnings are also lower ($68,900 vs $103,000)
- Waiting Period: EI has a 1-week unpaid waiting period; QPIP has none
- Sharing Bonus: EI offers 5 bonus weeks when both parents share parental leave (35 base + 5 bonus = 40 total)
Standard vs Extended: An Irrevocable Choice
- Binding Decision: You cannot switch between standard and extended once a week of parental benefits has been paid to you or the other parent
- Both Parents Same Option: If sharing, both parents must choose the same option (standard or extended)
- Eligibility: You need 600 insured hours in the 52 weeks before your claim, and your weekly earnings must have decreased by more than 40%