Canada compares well to other first-world countries in this regard. According to an international ranking of 33 countries conducted by the Mercer Human Resources Consulting firm, Canada is tied with Denmark as the fifth-best country for parents wanting time off, with its one-year maternity leave to raise their baby.

Specifically, the Canada Labour Code provides for up to 17 weeks of maternity leave. In addition, an employee who assumes care of a newborn or newly adopted child is entitled to parental leave of up to 37 weeks. However, the total duration of the maternity and the parental leaves must not exceed 52 weeks.

What about the benefits?
During the year allowed for maternity leave, the Canadian government pays mothers Employment Insurance of up to $413 a week, depending on her working income. This limited gesture amounts to a dramatic drop in income for many Canadian families. As well, maternity leave is not extended to self-employed individuals or those who work on a contract basis, since they do not contribute to Employment Insurance, the fund from which maternity payments are drawn. Canada only rates fifteenth in the Mercer study, when it comes to maternity-leave compensation.

Who is entitled to maternity leave?
Female employees who have completed six consecutive months of continuous employment with the same employer when their leave begins.

Who is entitled to parental leave?
Natural or adoptive parents who have completed six consecutive months of continuous employment with their employer at the time their leave begins. In Canada, fathers have been permitted to take parental leave under Employment Insurance and to stay at home with a newborn or adopted child since 1990.

Can both parents take parental leave?
Yes. The two parents together are entitled to combined parental leave of up to 37 weeks. Parents have the option of taking their parental leave at the same time, or one after the other.