Parental Leave in Canada 2026: EI, QPIP and the World

Last updated: October 2026. Figures checked against the official sources listed at the end of this page on October 2, 2026.

Short answer: In 2026, EI maternity and standard parental benefits pay 55% of average insurable weekly earnings up to $729 a week, and extended parental benefits pay 33% up to $437 a week. In Quebec, QPIP pays 70% or 75% (55% for part of the basic parental leave) on insurable earnings up to $103,000.

Key facts

Fact Figure Source
EI maternity / standard parental max $729 a week (55%) Service Canada
EI extended parental max $437 a week (33%) Service Canada
EI maximum insurable earnings 2026 $68,900 ESDC
EI hours needed 600 insurable hours Service Canada
QPIP maximum insurable earnings 2026 $103,000 RQAP
QPIP basic maternity 18 weeks at 70% RQAP

EI maternity and parental benefits in 2026 (outside Quebec)

Benefit Length Rate Maximum weekly amount (2026)
Maternity Up to 15 weeks 55% of average insurable weekly earnings $729
Standard parental Up to 40 weeks shared (one parent can take up to 35) 55% $729
Extended parental Up to 69 weeks shared (one parent can take up to 61) 33% $437

Maximum insurable earnings for 2026: $68,900. Sources: Service Canada; ESDC.

  • You generally need 600 hours of insurable employment in the 52 weeks before your claim (or since your last claim).
  • Maternity benefits can start up to 12 weeks before the due date and end no later than 17 weeks after the due date or the actual birth date.
  • Standard parental benefits must be used within 52 weeks of the birth or placement; extended parental within 78 weeks.
  • Service Canada advises applying as soon as you stop working; waiting more than 4 weeks can cost you benefits.

Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP / RQAP) in 2026

Quebec residents are covered by QPIP instead of EI maternity and parental benefits. The first parent to receive benefits chooses the basic or special plan for both parents, and the choice cannot be changed later.

Benefit Basic plan Special plan
Maternity Up to 18 weeks at 70% Up to 15 weeks at 75%
Paternity Up to 5 weeks at 70% Up to 3 weeks at 75%
Parental (shareable) Up to 32 weeks: 7 weeks at 70%, then 25 weeks at 55% Up to 25 weeks at 75%

Source: RQAP, "Choice of benefit plan".

QPIP's maximum insurable earnings are $103,000 for 2026, and premiums fell 13% this year. Dividing $103,000 by 52 weeks gives maximum weekly benefits of about $1,386.54 at 70%, $1,485.58 at 75% and $1,089.42 at 55% (our calculation from the official maximum).

How Canada compares

Country Paid leave for the birth parent Pay Source
Canada (EI) 15 weeks maternity + up to 35 weeks standard parental per parent 55%, up to $729 a week (2026) Service Canada
Canada – Quebec (QPIP) 18 weeks maternity + shareable parental (basic plan) 70% then 55%; MIE $103,000 RQAP
United Kingdom Statutory Maternity Pay for up to 39 weeks 90% of average weekly earnings for 6 weeks, then £194.32 or 90% (whichever is lower) for 33 weeks GOV.UK
United States No federal paid leave; FMLA gives up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave Unpaid at the federal level U.S. Dept. of Labor

We removed the Australia, Germany and Sweden rows from the June 2026 version because we could not re-check those figures on official sources this month.

What this means for planning

On EI, the 12-month (standard) option pays more per week and the 18-month (extended) option spreads a smaller weekly amount over a longer time; the total is similar. Many families pair the decision with child care: in 2026, median infant fees range from $9.65 a day in Quebec cities to $22 in Ontario cities and $28–$52 in BC cities (CCPA). Check your own numbers with the Service Canada or RQAP estimators.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum EI maternity benefit in 2026?

$729 a week. Maternity and standard parental benefits pay 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to that maximum, based on 2026 maximum insurable earnings of $68,900.

How much is extended parental leave in 2026?

Extended parental benefits pay 33% of average insurable weekly earnings, up to $437 a week, for up to 61 weeks for one parent or 69 weeks shared.

What is the QPIP maximum for 2026?

QPIP maximum insurable earnings are $103,000 in 2026. That works out to about $1,386.54 a week at the 70% rate and $1,485.58 at the 75% special-plan rate.

Can both parents take EI parental leave?

Yes. Standard parental benefits can be shared for up to 40 weeks (one parent up to 35), and extended parental for up to 69 weeks (one parent up to 61).

Is Quebec parental leave different from EI?

Yes. Quebec residents use QPIP, which has its own paternity benefit (up to 5 weeks on the basic plan) and higher replacement rates. You choose the basic or special plan when the first parent starts benefits.

Shop related categories

Related guides and tools

Sources

  1. Service Canada: EI maternity and parental benefits – How much you could receive (checked October 2, 2026)
  2. Service Canada: EI maternity and parental benefits – Eligibility (checked October 2, 2026)
  3. ESDC: 2026 maximum insurable earnings (checked October 2, 2026)
  4. RQAP: Premium rates and maximum insurable earnings for 2026 (checked October 2, 2026)
  5. RQAP: Choice of benefit plan (basic vs special) (checked October 2, 2026)
  6. GOV.UK: Maternity pay and leave – Pay (checked October 2, 2026)
  7. U.S. Department of Labor: Family and Medical Leave Act (checked October 2, 2026)
  8. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: The $10-a-day divide – Child care fees in Canada in 2026 (Aug 19, 2026) (checked October 2, 2026)

General information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Amounts depend on your income, province and situation; confirm with the CRA, Service Canada or your province before you rely on them.