Know your options for parental leave and how to be financially prepared.
In Canada, benefits are available to parents who are pregnant, have had a baby or are adopting a baby.
Parental leave
There are approximately 17 weeks of paid maternity leave available to the birth parent and an additional 35 weeks of parental leave that can be taken by either parent.
To learn more about how to qualify for these benefits, visit Service Canada.
Employer support
Employers are not required by law to pay anyone who takes maternity or paternity leave.
However, recruiting and retaining qualified employees is important to employers so often they provide benefits to support families.
Find out what your employer offers to those wishing to have a baby, or if your partner's employer will pay for their time off.
Tips for financially planning for a baby
- Take time before you get pregnant to think about adjusting to a reduced income.
- Develop a new budget that reflects this reduced income.
- Discuss with your partner how to reduce unnecessary costs.
- Think about what you need to purchase for a baby.
Resources
- Service Canada: Maternity and parental leave benefits
- Service Canada: Having a baby
- Government of B.C.: Disability assistance
Information for people with disabilities - Government of B.C.: Income assistance
Information on applying for social assistance - Service Canada: Child tax benefit
Information on tax free child benefit - Free and low-cost meals directory
Listings for free and low-cost meal programs in Fraser Health