How long is pregnancy leave in Ontario?

Pregnancy leave is up to 17 weeks of unpaid time off under the ESA. It may be extended if you are still pregnant after 17 weeks, or if you have a miscarriage/stillbirth within the 17-week window before your due date.

How long is parental leave in Ontario?

Birth mothers who took pregnancy leave get up to 61 weeks of parental leave. All other new parents get up to 63 weeks of parental leave.

What is the 13-week qualifying period?

You must have started employment at least 13 weeks before the due date (for pregnancy leave) or 13 weeks before starting parental leave. You don't need to actively work those 13 weeks.

Ontario Parental Leave Calculator 2025 | ESA Pregnancy & Parental Leave

💡 Quick Examples — From the ESA Guide▶

Example 1 — Aurélie: Began her job 15 weeks before her due date.
→ Qualified for pregnancy leave (13+ weeks between hire and due date)

Example 2 — Meredith (early baby): Began her job 15 weeks before due date, but her baby was born 11 weeks after starting the job.
→ Still qualified — 13+ weeks between hire and due date is what matters, not actual birth date

Example 3 — Wai (stillbirth at due date): Began pregnancy leave 15 weeks before due date. Had a stillbirth on the due date.
→ Pregnancy leave ends on the LATER of:
• 17 weeks after leave began, or
• 12 weeks after the stillbirth
→ In Wai's case: 27 weeks total (12 weeks after the stillbirth was later)

👶 Leave Type

Pregnancy LeaveBirth mother who is pregnant Parental Leave (Birth Mother — took pregnancy leave)61 weeks parental leave Parental Leave (Birth Mother — no pregnancy leave)63 weeks parental leave Parental Leave (Birth Father / Partner)63 weeks parental leave Parental Leave (Adoptive Parent)63 weeks parental leave

💼 Employment Information

Date of Hire

Calculation Date

🤰 Pregnancy Leave Inputs

Baby's Due Date

Actual Birth Date (if known)

Planned Pregnancy Leave Start Date

I experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Leave Inputs

Child's Birth Date OR Date Child Came Into Your Care

Planned Parental Leave Start Date

📝 Notice Changes (Optional)

I want to change my leave start date

Original Leave Start Date

New Leave Start Date

To change to an EARLIER date: 2 weeks notice before the NEW date. To change to a LATER date: 2 weeks notice before the ORIGINAL date.

I want to return to work early

Planned Return Date

4 weeks written notice required before the new earlier return date.

I want to extend my leave (change the end date to later)

New Leave End Date

4 weeks written notice required before the original end date. Unless the employer agrees, you cannot extend beyond your ESA entitlement.

I plan to resign (not return to work)

Planned Resignation Date

4 weeks written notice required. Notice not required if constructively dismissed.

QUALIFIED — LEAVE ENTITLEMENT CALCULATED

Date of Hire —

Weeks Employed Before Due Date —

13-Week Qualifying Period —

Pregnancy Leave Entitlement —

Parental Leave Entitlement —

      Combined Leave Entitlement
      —
    

Earliest Pregnancy Leave Start —

Latest Pregnancy Leave Start —

Latest Parental Leave Start (78-week window) —

      Estimated Return to Work Date
      —
    

⚠️ Not Qualified — 13-Week Rule: You must have started employment at least 13 weeks before the baby's due date (for pregnancy leave) or before the parental leave start date. You do not need to actively work those 13 weeks, but you must have been employed.

🤰 Miscarriage / Stillbirth Extension:

Your pregnancy leave ends on the LATER of:

17 weeks after the leave began: —
12 weeks after the miscarriage/stillbirth: —

Your leave ends on — — a total of — weeks.

💰 EI Benefits (Separate Program): ESA leave is unpaid. For maternity and parental benefits, apply through Service Canada. Contact the EI Automated Telephone Information Service at 1-800-206-7218 or visit canada.ca/ei.

⚠️ Leave Cannot Be Split: Once you start your pregnancy or parental leave, you must take it all at once. Returning to work — even part-time — ends the leave and gives up the remainder.

⚠️ Employer Cannot:

Require you to return from leave early
Require medical proof of fitness to return to work
Penalize you for taking, planning to take, or asking about leave

📋 Your Rights: Same or comparable job on return; same or higher wage; benefit plan continuation; seniority accrual; leave counts toward length of service (but NOT probation).

⏰ Notice Deadlines

Action	Deadline	Notice Period

🛡️ Your Rights During Leave (ESA s. 53)▶

Reinstatement: In most cases, you're entitled to your same job (or a comparable job if the old one no longer exists), with the same or higher wage. Wage increases that would have applied during your leave must be given when you return.

Benefit plan continuation: Your employer must continue to pay its share of premiums for pension, life insurance, accidental death, extended health, and dental plans — unless you tell them in writing that you won't continue paying your own share.

Seniority and length of service: You continue to earn credit for length of employment, length of service, and seniority during your leave.

Probation: Time on leave does NOT count toward completing a probationary period. You must complete probation after returning to work.

Anti-reprisal protection: Employers cannot penalize you in any way for taking, planning to take, being eligible to take, or asking questions about pregnancy or parental leave.

Employer obligations: Your employer cannot require you to return early, and cannot require medical proof of fitness to return.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for pregnancy leave?

Any pregnant employee who has been employed at least 13 weeks before the baby's due date. You don't have to actively work those 13 weeks — layoff, vacation, sick leave, and prior pregnancy leave all count.

Who qualifies for parental leave?

Any new parent (birth parent, adoptive parent, or a person in a permanent relationship with a parent) who has been employed at least 13 weeks before starting parental leave.

How long is pregnancy leave?

Up to 17 weeks unpaid. If you're still pregnant after 17 weeks, the leave extends until birth. If you have a miscarriage or stillbirth within the 17-week window before your due date, the leave extends to the later of 17 weeks after start or 12 weeks after the loss.

How long is parental leave?

61 weeks if you're a birth mother who took pregnancy leave. 63 weeks for all other new parents (including birth mothers who did not take pregnancy leave, birth fathers, partners, and adoptive parents).

What happens if I have a miscarriage or stillbirth?

If the loss happens within the 17-week window before your due date, you're eligible for pregnancy leave. The leave ends on the later of: (a) 17 weeks after the leave began, or (b) 12 weeks after the loss. This makes the leave at least 17 weeks, sometimes longer.

Do I have to give notice?

Yes — 2 weeks written notice before the leave begins. If you stop work suddenly (complications, early birth), you have 2 weeks after stopping to give retroactive written notice. To change dates, return early, extend, or resign, you need 4 weeks written notice.

Can I return to work early?

Yes, but you must give 4 weeks written notice before your new return date. Once you return to work — even part-time — you give up the remainder of the leave.

Can my employer require me to return early?

No. Your employer cannot require you to return early from pregnancy or parental leave, and cannot require medical proof that you're fit to return to work.

Do I get paid during my leave?

No. ESA pregnancy and parental leave are unpaid. You may qualify for federal EI maternity/parental benefits through Service Canada. Apply online at canada.ca/ei or call 1-800-206-7218.

Can I be fired for taking leave?

No. Employers cannot penalize you for taking, planning to take, being eligible to take, or asking questions about pregnancy or parental leave. If terminated for reasons unrelated to the leave, the employer must still comply with reinstatement rules.

What happens to my benefits during leave?

Your employer must continue to pay its share of premiums for pension, life insurance, accidental death, extended health, and dental plans — unless you tell them in writing that you won't continue paying your own share.

Do I lose seniority during my leave?

No. You continue to accrue length of employment, length of service, and seniority during pregnancy and parental leave. However, time on leave does not count toward completing a probationary period.

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