That link has the info. It mentions both the two week waiting period and the reduced rate (up to 55% of salary). You’ll note it talks about ‘EI benefits’ instead of Maternity or Paternal Leave, but the terms of interchangeable in this instance.

“Before you can start receiving EI benefits, there is a two-week waiting period during which you will not be paid….For most people, the basic rate for calculating EI benefits is 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum amount. As of January 1, 2013, the maximum yearly insurable earnings amount is $47,400. This means that you can receive a maximum amount of $501 per week.”

Also a side note: only EI insurable earnings hours worked count towards being able to receive maternity benefits. As a Ph.D. candidate, my Teaching Assistanceship and my course instructor hours counted towards Mat leave, but my Research Assistanceship hours (about 1/2 of my pay) did not and I was not eligeable for the benefit.

From what I read, it’s correct. I just came off maternity leave and it was as it is shown here. I was not paid for the first two weeks, then was paid 55% of my earnings for the past year. There is also a ceiling to the payments. Yes, it is EI, but it’s still maternity leave and that’s how the government views it too.

 Sadsadsadie, the information I used is from this page: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/types/maternity_parental.shtml, which doesn’t mention two different rates of payment. Can you find me a reference so I can make the change?

People who ask who really benefits from breastfeeding would be better served asking who does NOT benefit from breastfeeding. I think the second question would have a much much shorter answer.