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Maternity leave in Canada update

Maternity leave in Canada has changed. Here's what you need to know

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Originally published on TodaysParent.com April 14, 2011

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As a parent-to-be you’ve got a lot to think about, but we’ve got you covered in regards to changes to maternity leave in Canada. Read on for all the latest news and other good-to-know points.

What’s new

As of January 2011, you can now qualify for maternity or parental leave if you’re self-employed. But take note:

• You must be registered with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission through Service Canada for at least 12 months before you can claim any benefits.

• Once you’ve registered and waited the obligatory 12 months, you can qualify for EI special benefits as long as you’ve reduced the amount of time devoted to your business by more than 40% due to giving birth and/or caring for your newborn or adopted child.

• You must also meet the annual minimum salary, which varies from year to year, so be sure to monitor the Service Canada website. Currently, to apply for benefits in 2011, you must have earned a minimum of $6,000 in 2010.

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