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Maternity and parental leave in BC: how much EI pays and how to apply

2026 EI maternity and parental benefit amounts and weeks, eligibility and application timing, and the job protection BC employment standards provide.

Updated 2026-10-13

Money and job protection are two separate systems

In BC, income during leave comes from federal EI, while the leave itself and job protection are set by BC employment standards. Applying for EI does not arrange the leave with your employer; both need to be handled. [1][5]

What EI pays (2026)

BenefitWeeksRate and cap
Maternity (birth mother only)15 weeks55% of earnings, up to $729 a week
Parental: standard option40 weeks shared; up to 35 for one parent55% of earnings
Parental: extended option69 weeks shared; up to 61 for one parent33% of earnings, up to $437 a week

The earnings ceiling used in the calculation (2026 maximum insurable earnings) is $68,900; anything above it is not counted. [1][4] Once a week of parental benefits has been paid, you cannot switch between the standard and extended options, so work out the choice beforehand. [1]

Eligibility

  • 600 insured hours in the past 52 weeks, and earnings reduced by more than 40%. [2]
  • A one-week waiting period with no payment. [2]
  • Maternity benefits can start as early as 12 weeks before the due date. [2]

How to apply

  1. Apply online as soon as you stop working. Applying more than 4 weeks after your last day of work can mean losing some benefits. [3]
  2. You do not need to wait for your employer's Record of Employment (ROE). [3]
  3. Have your SIN, banking details and the due date or birth date ready. If the parents share leave, you also need the other parent's SIN. [3]

Job protection in BC

BC pregnancy leave is up to 17 weeks, followed by 61 weeks of parental leave (62 weeks if no pregnancy leave was taken). Employees give 4 weeks' written notice, and the employer must offer the same or a comparable position on return. [5]

Self-employed people

Self-employed people must register with Service Canada for EI special benefits 12 months in advance to be eligible. [6]

Amounts, weeks and rules are set by Service Canada and may change after 2026; check the official pages. [1]

Sources