Just like the Canadian government, the government of Quebec offers a wide range of parental benefits to support parents, whether they are on maternity, paternity or parental leave. The Quebec benefits are often cited as more advantageous than the Canadian parental benefits given their higher payout, duration and flexible conditions.
These benefits are intended to provide financial support to parents to help them balance their professional and personal lives after the birth or adoption of a child. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about parental benefits in Quebec: types of benefits, eligibility criteria, amounts, duration and how to get them.
Before we begin, it is important to distinguish between parental leave and parental benefits. Parental leave is provided for by the Act respecting labour standards (“Act”) and allows salaried employees to take leave for a specific time. The parental leaves in the Act are individual rights of each salaried parent, and each parent can claim the entire total.
This leave is a leave without pay or commonly referred to as leave without pay. However, some specific days around the birth of the child may be paid. For example, when a child is born or adopted or there is a termination of pregnancy after the 20th week, the Act provides for a minimum of 5 days of leave, including 2 days with pay.
After that, it is possible for the mother to take 18 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, which ends no later than 20 weeks after childbirth. Further, the father to take 5 weeks of unpaid paternity leave. After the paternity or maternity leave, there is also the option of both parents to take a parental leave of up to 65 weeks. This parental leave can be extended up to 104 weeks in specific cases.
To take paternity or parental leave, it is necessary to give 3 weeks’ notice which specifies the date of departure and the date of return. This period may be shortened if the state of health of the mother or the child so requires.
These parental leaves are typically unpaid, and therefore without pay. To remedy this situation, the Quebec government provides parental benefits to compensate for a portion of the salary lost during maternity, paternity or parental leave. You can potentially qualify if you meet the conditions of the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) governed by the Parental Insurance Act.
Types of benefits
In Quebec, parental benefits are mainly divided into three categories: maternity benefits, paternity benefits and parental benefits.
1. Maternity benefits
This benefit is for birth mothers who are absent from work because they are pregnant or have recently given birth. It is offered for a period of up to 18 weeks and usually begins when the mother stops working before the child is born.
2. Paternity benefit
Biological fathers or adoptive parents are eligible for paternity benefits. This lasts up to five weeks and can be taken at the same time or after maternity leave, depending on the father’s needs.
3. Parental benefit
Parents can also apply for parental benefits, which can be shared between both parents. This leave can last up to a maximum of 32 weeks and can be shared between the parents as desired. One parent could take 100 % of the benefits, or both parents could split 50/50, depending on their needs.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for receiving parental benefits vary depending on the type of benefit. In general, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a resident of Quebec;
- Have insurable employment;
- Have contributed to the QPIP (be an employee or self-employed);
- Have insurable earnings of at least $2,000 during the qualifying period (generally the last 52 weeks);
- Have experienced a stop or decrease in income of at least 40% for at least 1 week;
- Have accumulated a minimum of 600 hours of insurable work during the qualifying period, either during the 52 weeks preceding the start of the claim or, if applicable, since the start of your last claim, whichever is shorter;
Amount and duration
The amount is calculated based on your average weekly earnings, calculated based on the average of your insurable earnings up to the annual maximum insurable. This annual maximum insurable amount is $98,000 in 2025 and $103,000 in 2026. On a weekly basis, that means $1,879.56 in 2025 and $1,975.45 in 2026.
Base Plan: The base plan provides 70% of average weekly earnings based on the maximum insurable income for the weeks of maternity, paternity or paternity benefits or for the first seven weeks of parental sharing benefits and 55% for the additional weeks of parental benefits.
Special regime: The special regime allows you to apply for a 75% benefit for a lesser number of weeks.
| Type of benefit | Beneficiary | Duration (basic plan – 70%) | Duration (special regime -75%) | Period of entitlement to benefits |
| Maternity / Giving Birth | Biological mother | 18 weeks | 15 weeks | At the earliest 16 weeks before childbirth and no later than 20 weeks after, with some exceptions |
| Paternity | Father or second parent | 5 weeks | 3 weeks | From the week of the child’s birth to 5 (or 3 for the special diet) weeks after |
| Parental (shareable) | Both parents, but they share the total | 32 weeks | 25 weeks | From the week of the child’s birth to 32 (or 25 for the special diet) weeks after |
| Adoptive parents | Both parents, but they share the total | 5 weeks exclusive to each parent 32 shareable weeks | 3 weeks exclusive to each parent 25 shareable weeks | |
| Bonus for additional children | 5 weeks | 3 weeks | ||
| Bonus for sharing of benefits | + 4 weeks if each parent uses at least 8 weeks | + 3 weeks if each parent uses at least 6 weeks |
Application Procedure
Parental benefits are not automatic; they must be claimed.
Applying for parental benefits may seem complex, but it is a well-defined process. Find below the essential steps to complete the application process:
- Choice: Choose the type of benefit you want to apply for, once you have chosen the plan (basic or special) this choice is irrevocable and the choice of the parent who sends the benefit application first applies to the other parent’s request;
- Time limit: To fully benefit from the benefit entitlement period, you must follow the time limits. For example, if you are applying for paternity or parental benefits, you will want to apply before the birth of the child to benefit from the entire period, while for maternity benefits, you could apply as early as 16 weeks before the birth.
- Gather the necessary information to confirm your eligibility and the establishment of the benefit (for example, your records of employment or proof of self-employment income);
- Fill out the online application ;
- Provide the necessary documents;
- Receive the statement of benefits and the access code that will arrive by mail;
- Check the status of your application.
Practical advice
Here are some tips to maximize your parental benefits and avoid common mistakes:
- Apply as soon as possible: this ensures that you will receive your benefits on time;
- Consult your employer: make sure that your employer is informed of your leave and the duration of your absence;
- Check out leave sharing opportunities: if you’re a couple, explore the possibility of sharing parental leave to maximize financial support;
- Check your employer’s policies: Some employers offer benefits in addition to those of the government.
Conclusion
Parental benefits in Quebec provide valuable support to parents after the birth or adoption of a child. Be sure to submit your application on time and consult a legal advisor for advice tailored to your situation.
This does not prevent the parental leave and benefits system from being quite complex. To get a clear picture, don’t hesitate to consult a labour lawyer.
At Boavista Legal Services, we have lawyers practicing in employment and family law who can help you prepare your application and advise you if there is a problem with your application. For example, if your application is denied, benefits are withdrawn too early, or you have a dispute with your employer or the other parent about parental leave or parental benefit.
For more information, contact us.
Disclaimer – This article is intended to inform and raise public awareness of legal issues. The legal information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is likely to vary significantly over time and according to the precise facts of each situation. This article is not a substitute for a lawyer’s legal opinion and does not engage the liability of Boavista Legal Services Inc., its lawyers, articling students, employees, successors and subcontractors.
