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Extending parental leave

Last updated on January 15, 2026

The standard one week delay before receiving EI benefits has been temporarily waived for all new claims that start between March 30, 2025 and April 11, 2026. You may want to serve the waiting period if you're eligible for a top-up allowance.

Below are the ways to extend your time off.

Parental leave

  • If you have taken maternity leave and have not taken the full 61 weeks of parental leave, you can extend your parental leave up to the 61 weeks
  • If you are only taking parental leave and have not taken the full 63 weeks of parental leave, you can extend your parental leave up to the 63 weeks

Employer paid benefits are maintained throughout your parental leave but if you are not receiving leave allowance, you will need to complete the Option to Continue Employee Benefits While on Employment Standards Act Leave of Absence Without Pay form (PDF, 441KB) if you would like to maintain any optional life insurance plans. Otherwise, they are considered waived. For more information, please visit the Benefits while on leave or layoff page

Send a written request to your supervisor at least 4 weeks before the end of your initial leave

Extended childcare leave

  • The total combined leave can be up to 78 weeks (18 months)
  • If you are a regular employee, you can take this leave without pay at the end of your leave as long as you have not already taken the full 78 weeks (18 months) of maternity and extended parental leave
  • Extended childcare leave follows the same rules as a general leave without pay for benefits coverage and pension contributions
  • Benefits are not maintained if the leave is one calendar month or longer. More information about maintaining benefit coverage can be found on Careers & MyHR under Benefits while on leave or layoff
  • When purchasing your service back, if the leave is more than 30 calendar days, the employee pays both the employer and employee portion of the purchase. For more information, refer to the:
  • Send a written request to your supervisor at least 4 weeks before the end of your initial leave

Vacation

  • You can request to use earned vacation before or your maternity / parental leave to extend your time off work. Request vacation leave through your supervisor for approval
  • Your vacation entitlement will be pro-rated for the period that you are off on leave
  • Look up your annual vacation entitlement