Maternity, paternity, and parental leave

Since January 2006, the Québec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) has offered paid leave to parents of a newborn or newly adopted child so they can spend more time with their family. To qualify, you must meet certain criteria:

• Be a resident of Quebec
• Have stopped working or had your income reduced by at least 40 percent
• Have made at least $2,000 during the qualifying period set by the government, which is generally the year preceding the benefit period
• Have paid QPIP premiums

How much will I receive under the QPIP?

The benefit amount to which you are entitled is based on several factors, including your income during the qualifying period. If you are a salaried worker, this period usually corresponds to the 52 weeks preceding the start of your leave; if you are self-employed, it is typically the calendar year preceding your leave. However, the maximum insurable earnings are $94,000.

The amount you receive will also depend on the type of plan you choose and the types of benefits to which you are entitled.

Available plans

The Québec Parental Insurance Plan offers two options: the basic plan and the special plan.

The choice of plan is determined by the first of the two parents to file the application. You can no longer change plans once the first benefit has been paid, so it’s important to think carefully about which plan is best for your situation. To estimate the amount to which you may be entitled, try the QPIP’s benefit calculation simulator.

Basic plan

Under the basic plan, your total benefits are lower, but they are spread over a longer period. This plan provides for 18 weeks exclusively for the mother, 5 weeks for the father or the other parent named on the birth certificate, and at least 32 weeks that both parents can share. Adoption leave consists of 5 weeks for each parent and at least 45 shareable benefit weeks. Parents receive 55 or 70 percent of their earnings.

Special plan

Under the special plan, the total benefits are higher, but they are spread over a shorter period. This plan provides for 15 weeks exclusively for the mother, 3 weeks for the father or the other parent named on the birth certificate, and at least 25 weeks that both parents can share. Adoption leave consists of 3 weeks for each parent and at least 37 shareable benefit weeks. Parents receive 75 percent of their earnings.

Types of benefits offered

Maternity benefits

These benefits are exclusive to the biological mother. They cannot be shared between the two parents. Depending on the selected plan, the mother receives 70 percent of her earnings for 18 weeks (basic plan) or 75 percent of her earnings for 15 weeks (special plan).

As of October 2020, mothers can earn a certain amount of employment income without affecting their maternity benefits. This measure previously applied only to weeks of parental leave and paternity leave, a practice that was deemed discriminatory.

Paternity benefits

These benefits are exclusive to the biological father or the partner of the biological mother if the partner is named on the birth certificate. They cannot be shared between the two parents. Depending on the selected plan, the father or partner receives 70 percent of their earnings for 5 weeks (basic plan) or 75 percent of their earnings for 3 weeks (special plan).

You must take your paternity leave within 18 months of the birth of your child.

Parental benefits

Parental benefits are shareable between the two parents and are therefore provided in addition to maternity or paternity leave. Parents can take parental benefits either separately or at the same time, depending on their preference. For example, some mothers appreciate having their partner present to help with the baby following childbirth, as they can recover more quickly. Other couples prefer to go on leave one after the other so they can wait longer before sending their child to daycare.

Depending on the selected plan, parents first receive 70 percent of their earnings for 7 weeks, followed by 55 percent of their earnings for 25 weeks (basic plan), or 75 percent of their earnings for 25 weeks (special plan).

Parents are also entitled to an additional 4 weeks (55 percent of earnings) if each parent takes at least 8 weeks of parental leave (basic plan), or an additional 3 weeks (75 percent of income) if each parent takes at least 6 weeks of parental leave (special plan). These additional weeks can be shared between the two parents.

Parents who have twins, triplets, etc. and their partners are each entitled to an additional 5 weeks of parental benefits at 70 percent of their earnings (basic plan), or an additional 3 weeks of parental benefits at 75 percent of their earnings. These additional weeks cannot be shared between the two parents.

You must take your parental leave within 18 months of the birth of your child.

Adoption benefits

These benefits are offered to parents who choose to adopt. Each parent is entitled to 5 benefit weeks at 70 percent of their earnings (basic plan) or 3 weeks at 75 percent of their earnings (special plan).

Parents are also entitled to 45 benefit weeks (basic plan) or 37 benefit weeks (special plan), which they can share between them. As with parental benefits, adoption benefit weeks may be taken separately or by both parents at the same time.

Parents are also entitled to an additional 4 weeks if each parent takes at least 8 shareable adoption benefit weeks (basic plan) or an additional 3 weeks if each parent takes at least 6 shareable adoption benefit weeks (special plan). These additional weeks can be shared between the two parents.

Parents who are adopting more than one child at the same time are both entitled to an additional 5 adoption benefit weeks (basic plan) or an additional 3 adoption benefit weeks (special plan). These additional weeks cannot be shared between the two parents.

You must take your adoption leave within 18 months of adopting your child.

How do I apply for QPIP benefits?

To receive benefits under the Québec Parental Insurance Plan, each parent must submit an application. The application can be submitted online or by phone.

Keep in mind that if you apply by phone, you will be required to submit supporting documents by mail. Since applications cannot be processed until all the required documents have been received, those submitted by phone have a longer processing period.

When should I apply?

It’s important to apply quickly, as you will not receive payments for more than the 6 weeks preceding the submission of your application. Please note that you are not required to have received your record of employment to apply.

Maternity benefits

You can apply for maternity benefits no sooner than 16 weeks before your due date. Since maternity benefits must end no later than 20 weeks following childbirth, make sure not to wait too long if you apply after your child is born.

In addition, if you plan to take paid vacation days after the birth of your child, it’s best to wait until the end of your maternity leave to avoid losing benefit weeks.

Paternity, adoption, and parental benefits

For other types of benefits, you can apply the week your child is born or, in the case of an adoption in Quebec, the week of the child’s arrival. For an adoption outside of Quebec, you can apply 5 weeks before the child’s arrival.

Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team Updated: May 2024

Photos: iStock.com/RuslanDashinsky and GettyImages/FatCamera and kupicoo