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Maternity and Parental Leave

Federal and provincial legislation protects an employee’s right to take maternity leave and outlines the employer’s role in administering benefits during such a leave. The Archdiocese of Vancouver’s maternity leave policy is accountable to employment-related legislation and at no time reflects rights that are less than those provided by federal or provincial legislation. 

This page provides details of benefit plans, but it is not a legal document. In the event of a conflict between the contents of this page and the actual plans & contracts or regulations (as outlined by any applicable governing bodies), the provisions outlined in the latter will apply. 

Learn more at https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-maternity-parental.html 

How to apply 

  1. Decide if you want to take 12 months or 18 months leave. 
  2. Decide if you want to keep or waive your Group Benefits and Pension (as per Federal Law, employees can now waive their Group Benefits while on Maternity. Employees can also choose to continue contributing to the match pension while on Maternity Leave). 
  3. Arrange the Maternity leave agreement with your employer. 
  4. Request your Record of Employment (ROE) from your employer. 
  5. Apply for Employment Insurance (EI) Maternity and Parental Benefits with Service Canada 

Post-birth 

  1. Apply for Maternity short term disability Benefit with Canada Life
    1. Complete the following forms and submit to the RCAV Benefits Office

      1. Employee Statement Form
    2. Ask your doctor to complete the following forms: 
      1. Attending Physician Statement
    3. Choose one of the following methods to submit your short-term disability claim:
      1. Email your employee and attending physician statements directly to Canada Life via email at langley.dmso@canadalife.com
      2. Email it to your employer to be forwarded to the RCAV Benefits Office
      3. Upload your forms to the Benefits Office online platform. 
  2. If you are a CISVA (Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese) employee, provide the Maternity Medical report to your employer for top-up calculation. The maternity medical report form is for the school’s use only.
  3. Add your baby as a dependent under your plan in the first 31 days after your child is born. You can do this online through the Canada Life portal. 
  4. Contact your employer to find out what group benefits and pension fees you owe (only if you are keeping your benefits and pension).
    Submit post-dated cheques to cover your Group Benefits and Pension employee contribution (if you are keeping your benefits and pension) to your employer. (Do not submit to the Benefits Office or Canada Life).