Minimum/Maximum Start and End Dates in Labour Legislation
With the exception of the Yukon, all Canadian jurisdictions have established limits concerning the start date of a maternity leave. Usually, labour standards legislation stipulates that a maternity leave is not to commence earlier than a given number of weeks before the expected date of birth. This number can range from 11 to 17 weeks, the latter representing the maximum length of a standard maternity leave in most jurisdictions.
Federal, B.C., New Brunswick, P.E.I. | Alberta, Sask. | Nova Scotia, Quebec | Manitoba, Newfoundland, N.W.T., Nunavut, Ontario | |
LEAVE BEFORE EXPECTED DATE OF BIRTH (IN WEEKS) | 11 | 12 | 16 | 17 |
In some instances (federal, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario), a limit of seventeen weeks after birth is also set as the end date of the leave.3
(06720) | Pregnancy leave shall be granted for up to seventeen (17) weeks and may begin no earlier than seventeen (17) weeks before the expected birth date. |
Federal, B.C., New Brunswick, P.E.I. | Alberta, Sask. | Nova Scotia, Quebec | Manitoba, Newfoundland, N.W.T., Nunavut, Ontario | |
LEAVE BEFORE EXPECTED DATE OF BIRTH (IN WEEKS) | 11 | 12 | 16 | 17 |
In some instances (federal, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario), a limit of seventeen weeks after birth is also set as the end date of the leave.3