55% for up to 35 weeks or 33% for up to 61 weeks — the same money spread differently. Totals and monthly budgets for 2026.
ESTIMATE
Estimates as of 3 November 2026, for information only — not legal advice or a decision on your claim; Service Canada decides eligibility and the exact amount. 2026 figures from Canada.ca: 55% benefit rate, maximum insurable earnings $68,900, maximum $729 a week (extended parental 33%, $437). Regional rates for 11 October to 7 November 2026.
Extended parental benefits pay slightly more in total but much less per week. Standard parental pays 55% of your earnings (up to $729) for up to 35 weeks; extended pays 33% (up to $437) for up to 61 weeks. Because 61 × 33% is 20.13 weeks of pay against 35 × 55% = 19.25, extended comes out about 4.6% ahead in total — the real question is whether you can live on 60% of the standard weekly amount.
$65,000 salary, birth parent, maternity included.
Same pot, different speed
Weekly extended benefit = 60% of the standard rate.
55% standard33% extended$729 std max$437 ext max
Compare EI with your normal take-home pay
Open the Ontario take-home pay calculator to see your 2026 pay after federal and Ontario tax, CPP and EI premiums — the number EI is really replacing.
At every salary the extended option pays a little more in total — about $1,142 at the maximum — but stretched over 26 more weeks. Measured per month, standard parental on a $65,000 salary is about $2,981 before tax; extended is about $1,790.
Before tax for EI; take-home pay is after tax, CPP and EI premiums (Ontario 2026).
When standard makes sense
You plan to return to work within about a year of the birth (job-protected leave is longer under most labour codes, but many families can’t afford a long low-income stretch).
Your employer’s top-up covers only a fixed number of weeks — top-ups are usually designed around the standard 55% option.
You have fixed monthly costs (rent, mortgage, childcare deposit) that a 33% income would not cover.
When extended makes sense
You want 18 months at home and have savings or a partner’s income to fill the gap.
Childcare spaces near you start at 18 months, so the extra weeks avoid a gap.
Your earnings are low: the extended rate on a low salary is small in dollars, but the family supplement can raise it for low-income families with children.
Sharing the leave
Option
Total weeks
Weekly ($65K each)
Example split
Standard, shared
40
$688
Parent A 35 + parent B 5
Extended, shared
69
$413
Parent A 61 + parent B 8
Both parents must choose the same option, and the first parent to receive parental benefits locks it in. Weeks can be taken at the same time or one after the other, but must be used within 52 weeks (standard) or 78 weeks (extended) of the birth or placement. Each parent is paid on their own earnings.
You can’t switch later. Once any parental benefits have been paid on the claim, the standard/extended choice is final for both parents.
Check your take-home pay before and after
The Ontario take-home pay calculator shows your 2026 net pay after tax, CPP and EI premiums — the income your EI benefit is replacing.
Which pays more, standard or extended parental leave?
Extended pays slightly more in total (61 × 33% vs 35 × 55% of weekly earnings, about 4.6% more), but each weekly payment is 40% smaller. At the maximum: $26,657 vs $25,515.
What is the extended parental leave rate in 2026?
33% of average insurable weekly earnings, up to $437 a week.
Can I switch from extended to standard parental benefits?
No. Once parental benefits have been paid, the choice is final for both parents.
Can both parents take parental leave at the same time?
Yes. They can share up to 40 standard or 69 extended weeks, at the same time or one after the other, but neither can take more than 35 or 61.
Does maternity leave count toward the 35 or 61 weeks?
No. The 15 weeks of maternity benefits come first and are separate; parental weeks are added on top.
Benefit rate and maximums: Canada.ca “EI regular benefits: How much you could receive” and the maternity/parental and sickness benefit-amount pages — 55% of average insurable weekly earnings; maximum yearly insurable earnings $68,900 from 1 January 2026 ($65,700 in 2025); maximum $729 a week ($695 in 2025); extended parental 33%, maximum $437.
Best weeks (14 to 22) and the weeks you can be paid come from the regional unemployment rate: Employment Insurance Act, Schedule I, and Service Canada’s “EI Program Characteristics” for 11 October to 7 November 2026 (rates are updated every four weeks).
2026 temporary measures: Canada Gazette Part II, SOR/2026-203 (EI Pilot Project No. 25, in force 11 October 2026) — waiting week waived and separation money not deducted for claims starting up to 9 October 2027; up to 20 extra weeks for long-tenured workers for claims starting up to 12 June 2027; only the most recent separation assessed.
Repayment (clawback): 30% of the lesser of regular benefits or net income above $86,125 (2026 = 1.25 × maximum insurable earnings). Premiums 2026: 1.63% of insurable earnings (Quebec 1.30%), maximum $1,123.07.
Tax withheld is our estimate: the weekly benefit annualized through 2026 federal and Ontario tax brackets with basic personal amounts (and the Ontario Health Premium). Service Canada’s actual deduction and your final tax depend on your total income for the year. Take-home pay while working: 2026 Ontario, from our Canada salary after tax engine.