Québec Parental Insurance Plan

Québec Parental
Insurance Plan
Evolving with today’s parents!

Choice of Benefit Plan

Important:

  • Each parent must file an application for benefits.
  • The choice of plan is determined by the first of the two parents to receive benefits.
  • The choice of plan is irrevocable and applies to all types of benefit for the same event.

The table below indicates the maximum number of benefit weeks and percentage of average weekly earnings for each type of benefit, depending on the plan chosen.

Type of Benefits Basic Plan Special Plan
Maternity
(exclusively for the woman who gave birth)

Maximum of 18 weeks.

Weekly benefit: 70% of the average weekly earnings

Maximum of 15 weeks.

Weekly benefit: 75% of the average weekly earnings

Maternity
Termination of pregnancy

(exclusively for the mother)

Maximum of 18 weeks.

Weekly benefit: 70% of the average weekly earnings

Maximum of 15 weeks.

Weekly benefit: 75% of the average weekly earnings

Paternity
(exclusively for the father)

Maximum of 5 weeks.

Weekly benefit: 70% of the average weekly earnings

Maximum of 3 weeks.

Weekly benefit: 75% of the average weekly earnings

Parental
(may be shared between the parents)

Maximum of 32 weeks.

Weekly benefit:

  • 70% of the average weekly earnings for the first 7 weeks
  • 55% of the average weekly earnings for the other 25 weeks.

Maximum of 25 weeks.

Weekly benefit: 75% of the average weekly earnings

Adoption
(may be shared between the adoptive parents)

Maximum of 37 weeks.

Weekly benefit:

  • 70% of the average weekly earnings for the first 12 weeks
  • 55% of the average weekly earnings for the other 25 weeks.

Maximum of 28 weeks.

Weekly benefit: 75% of the average weekly earnings

When you apply for benefits under the Québec Parental Insurance Plan, you must choose between two options, the basic plan or the special plan. This choice will determine the length of leave and the percentage replacement of your income.

It is possible to receive:

  • Lower benefits for a longer period (basic plan)
  • or higher benefits for a shorter period (special plan)

The choice of plan is determined by the first of the two parents to receive benefits, which binds the other parent, even in cases of shared custody. Once you have begun receiving your benefits, you can no longer change plans. The choice of plan is irrevocable and applies for the entire duration of the benefit period.

For example, if the mother is the first to receive benefits and she chooses the basic plan for her maternity benefits, the basic plan will necessarily apply to the paternity and parental benefits. It is therefore very important to check which of the two plans is to your greater advantage before applying for benefits. To do so, you can try the benefit calculation simulator. You can use this tool to estimate the amount of benefits to which you may be entitled, depending on the selected plan.

Last update: May 30, 2017