Can I get maternity leave while sponsoring?

[nanafromcanada]

Hello!
My husband who is from Belgium received his Canadian PR is September 2013. I am his sponsor and financially responsible for him, therefore, cannot receive any financial assistance. My question is : If we decide to have a child, will I be aloud to go on Maternity leave or is that considered financial aid? I have read a few places that EI and Maternity leave are not considered financial aid as they are more of an insurance thing..but I would like to be certain!

While I am at it, if my husband were to lose his job,( for example, if the store he is manager at were to close) would he be aloud to get EI or would it get deducted from my pay since I am responsible for him?

Could not find anything on the CIC website. If you have any links to this information I would love to see them! Thanks!

 

[scylla]

Maternity Leave and EI are not classified as social assistance. So you will be fine. Welfare is classified as social assistance.

Your husband can take EI and it will not be deducted from your pay. It's only going to be a problem if he goes on welfare.

 

[MapleLeafBride]

While I can't find any specific links, I cannot imagine EI or Maternity Leave being considered 'social assistance'. Since you pay into it, it's more of an insurance policy. Plus, what if you worked a seasonal job (like a fisherman) and you collected EI on the off-season? Those people would never be able to sponsor if it was considered assistance. And I sincerely doubt the CIC would expect couples to hold off for 3 years to have a baby if the mother couldn't take mat leave. You also have to meet certain qualifications to receive mat benefits, such as being employed and working 600 hours of insurable employment in the qualifying period. So it's not a government handout. I'm fairly positive social assistance = welfare.


Maybe there's no specific links because it isn't an issue?

 

[TG71]

When my husband landed the officer told us specifically EI (which is essentially what Maternity leave is) is fine and not social assistance. That is one of our lovely deductions on our pay cheques we pay into. So yes you will be fine going on maternity leave.