Maternity leave: Québec – 18 weeks at 70% of earnings or 15 weeks at 75% of earnings, both with an earnings ceiling of CAN$60,500 (€37,665) per year. Rest of Canada – 15 weeks at 55% of earnings, with an earnings ceiling of CAN$41,100 (€25,585), but no payment for the first 2 weeks of leave.

Paternity leave: Québec – 5 weeks at 70% of earnings or 3 weeks at 75% of earnings, both with an earnings ceiling of CAN$60,500 (€37,665). Rest of Canada – none.

Parental leave: Québec – 32 weeks, 7 weeks at 70% of average earnings and 25 weeks at 55%, or 25 weeks at 75% of earnings, both with an earnings ceiling of CAN$60,500 (€37,665). Rest of Canada – 35 weeks at 55% of earnings with an earnings ceiling of CAN$41,100 (€25,585).

A ‘Family Supplement’, increasing wage replacement to 80% for all types of leave, is available throughout Canada for low-income families with a net annual income of less than CAN$25,921 (€16,135).

Leave to care for sick children: Québec – 10 days per year unpaid for the health or education of one's child or partner's child. Rest of Canada – provinces of British Columbia and New Brunswick allow 3 to 5 days of unpaid leave a year to care for immediate family members.

Other: none.

Canada is a federal state, with marked differences in leave policy between one province, Québec, and the rest of Canada. These include flexibility and level of payment, but also eligibility (see below). Nationwide, a quarter of mothers are not eligible for leave. In 2006, 56% of fathers in Québec took a period of leave. This mainly accounted for an increase across Canada in fathers taking leave, rising to 20% in 2006. Just over half of all mothers (51%) take 12 months or more of leave, compared with only 4% of fathers.