My InfoAdministrative Vice-Presidents

Parental leave

You are entitled to parental leave following the birth of a child, or upon welcoming a child for the first time into your custody. Parental leave is available to both parents, including parents who adopt a child and individuals who are in a permanent relationship with a parent of a child and who intend to adopt and treat the child as their own.

After you have completed 13 weeks of service at the University, you are eligible for up to 63 weeks of parental leave. However, if you take maternity leave, you are eligible for up to 61 weeks of parental leave, which must begin immediately following your maternity leave. If you do not take maternity leave, parental leave may begin no more than 78 weeks after the day the child is born or comes into your custody and care for the first time.

Benefit payable

If you have completed a minimum of 12 months of continuous service in a regular position with the University, you will receive the following benefit:

During the first six (6) weeks, which includes the waiting period (if applicable), the University shall pay to the employee the difference between:

  • 95% of the employee's regular base salary, and
  • The maximum level of the applicable government program available to any person whose salary corresponds to the employee’s salary.

The balance of your parental leave is considered leave without pay.

To receive benefit payments from the University, as described above, you must provide evidence that you have applied for and been approved for parental leave benefits under the Employment Insurance Act, and disclose the benefit amount you will receive from Employment Insurance.

During the first six weeks of parental leave, you and the University continue to pay your full regular contributions for group insurance benefits and staff pension, since you maintain coverage during this period. After six weeks of leave , you can choose to participate in the group insurance benefits and staff pension by continuing to pay your required contributions. If you choose to contribute during this period, the University continues to pay the employer contributions and your coverage is maintained.

Notifying the University

You must notify your department/faculty in writing and provide a medical certificate at least two weeks before the start of your parental leave.

At that point, your department/faculty notifies Human Resources, which provides you with information and assistance in planning your leave.

Additional information

Record of Employment – A Record of Employment is created and submitted to Service Canada up to five calendar days after the end of the pay period in which the leave begins. Based on your province of residence, you must apply for Employment Insurance or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan benefits and provide the University with proof of receipt of Employment Insurance or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan benefits.

Canada Life - Within 31 days of the birth or adoption, please add your child to your Canada Life group benefits (if applicable) via the Canada Life website.

Leave Management System

You must enter your leave in the Workday leave management system prior to your leave or if this is not possible, immediately upon your return to work.