As a rule, if you are an employee and pregnant, you are entitled to the maternity leave provided for in the Act respecting labour standards, that is, 18 consecutive weeks without pay.
Maternity leave may not begin until the 16th week before the expected date of delivery and ends no later than 18 weeks after delivery.
At least three weeks before your leave is to begin, you must give your employer written notice, indicating the start date for your leave and the expected date of your return to work.
Note
There are specific provisions covering unexpected events.
