does maternity leave outside canada count towards residency requirements

[ASashaS]

Hi,

During my 1 year maternity leave I spent about 5 months outside Canada in 2016, and 3 months outside Canada in in 2017. Before that I was fully time employed and living in Canada since 2013, and during maternity leave I was receiving EI - maternity leave benefits from the government for the whole year, as well as additional top-up benefits from my employer for first 6 months. I am back to work full time with the same employer after the one year of maternity leave.

What I would like to know is if the time spent outside Canada during maternity leave does or doesn't count towards residency requirements. I did read somewhere that if a person is going on vacation outside Canada, while living and (full-time?) employed in Canada doesn't need to be deduced. I never stopped being an employee, and continued to receive benefits during the maternity leave, but I definitely wasn't working nor present in Canada.

I would really appreciate if you could share some links in addition to any answers you may have for me.

Many thanks in advance!
Sasha

 

[itsmyid]

Hi,

During my 1 year maternity leave I spent about 5 months outside Canada in 2016, and 3 months outside Canada in in 2017. Before that I was fully time employed and living in Canada since 2013, and during maternity leave I was receiving EI - maternity leave benefits from the government for the whole year, as well as additional top-up benefits from my employer for first 6 months. I am back to work full time with the same employer after the one year of maternity leave.

What I would like to know is if the time spent outside Canada during maternity leave does or doesn't count towards residency requirements. I did read somewhere that if a person is going on vacation outside Canada, while living and (full-time?) employed in Canada doesn't need to be deduced. I never stopped being an employee, and continued to receive benefits during the maternity leave, but I definitely wasn't working nor present in Canada.

I would really appreciate if you could share some links in addition to any answers you may have for me.

Many thanks in advance!
Sasha

That 'somewhere' you mentioned is wrong, doesn't matter if you are employed or not, if you are out of Canada you must deduct those days unless it is for military services or government assignment. Just check CIC website

 

[Stef.]

It boils down to whether you fulfill the requirements. Have you spent enough time in Canada to apply? Also: you probably need a police certificate for the country you spent more than 183 days in and you will have to send it with your application. Make sure you get it before you apply as this can take time.
I believe they don't care whether you are employed, on maternity leave or another reason.
What counts is physical presence in Canada.
If you use the online calculator it will tell you if you spent enough time in Canada.