Parental Leave Calculator — Estimate Your Maternity EI Benefits — Canada 2026
Calculate your Employment Insurance maternity and parental leave benefits in Canada. Compare standard and extended options for 2026.
Canada provides generous paid parental leave through the EI system. Maternity benefits (birth mothers only) provide 15 weeks at 55% of earnings. Parental benefits provide either 35 weeks at 55% (standard) or 61 weeks at 33% (extended). This can be shared between parents. The maximum insurable earnings determine the cap on weekly benefits. Quebec has its own Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) with different and generally more generous terms.
How much will I receive on maternity leave in Canada?
EI maternity pays 55% of your average insurable earnings up to the maximum. If you earn $60000/year ($1154/week): benefit = $1154 x 55% = $635/week or $2540/month. If you earn $80000+: capped at $668/week ($2672/month). Total maternity + standard parental = 50 weeks of benefits for birth mothers. Some employers offer top-up programs paying the difference to 75-100% of salary.
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Parental Leave Calculator Canada
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your values in the fields above and the calculator will compute results instantly as you type. You can adjust any input to compare different scenarios. All calculations happen in your browser — no data is sent to any server and nothing is stored. Use the share buttons below the results to save or send your calculations via WhatsApp, Twitter, or by copying the link. For related calculations, check the suggested tools in the "What to calculate next" section below.
Key Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Maternity Benefits | 15 weeks at 55% (birth mother only) |
| Standard Parental | 35 weeks at 55% (shareable) |
| Extended Parental | 61 weeks at 33% (shareable) |
| Maximum Weekly Benefit | $668/week (maternity/standard) |
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Use Calculator NowFrequently Asked Questions
How much will I receive on maternity leave in Canada?
EI maternity pays 55% of your average insurable earnings up to the maximum. If you earn $60000/year ($1154/week): benefit = $1154 x 55% = $635/week or $2540/month. If you earn $80000+: capped at $668/week ($2672/month). Total maternity + standard parental = 50 weeks of benefits for birth mothers. Some employers offer top-up programs paying the difference to 75-100% of salary.
Standard vs extended parental leave which is better?
Standard: 35 weeks at 55% = total approximately $23380 in benefits. Extended: 61 weeks at 33% = total approximately $20108 in benefits. Standard pays $3272 more total but over a shorter period. Extended gives more time at home but less money. Choose extended if one parent can take unpaid leave or if employer offers top-up. Choose standard if you need to maximize income.
Can both parents take parental leave in Canada?
Yes parental benefits (35 or 61 weeks) can be split between both parents. An additional 5 weeks (standard) or 8 weeks (extended) are exclusively reserved for the second parent (non-birth parent or co-mother) and cannot be transferred — use them or lose them. This incentivizes both parents to take leave and provides up to 40 weeks standard or 69 weeks extended total.
Are these calculators free to use?
Yes, all calculators on CalcCorp are completely free — no registration, no login, no hidden charges. Results are calculated instantly in your browser and we do not store any of your data.
How accurate are these calculations?
Our calculators use standard financial formulas updated with the latest tax rates, interest rates, and government policies for 2026. Results are accurate for planning purposes but should be verified with a professional for final decisions.
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Last updated: March 2026