Government support
for parents
Québec Parental Insurance Plan
The Québec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) offers a range of benefits: maternity benefits up to a maximum of 18 weeks; benefits of paternity leave of 3 or 5 weeks and parental benefits up to a maximum of 32 weeks. These parental benefits may be taken by either parent or shared between them, but are granted only if one or both parents are present with their baby.
Learn more.
If the baby dies in utero or during birth
Under the terms currently provided for in QPIP, when the pregnancy ends after the 19th week of pregnancy, the mother may be entitled to maternity benefits up to a maximum of 18 weeks. The death of a baby has no effect on the payment of these benefits since they are granted to the mother to allow her to recover from pregnancy and baby birth.
As for the father, if the death of the baby occurs before or during birth, considering that the QPIP aims to financially support parents who are temporarily absent from the labor market to care for their baby, he cannot benefit from any provision of paternity or parental since the baby did not live.
If the baby is born alive but dies during the period of maternity leave
According to the conditions currently laid in QPIP, the mother is entitled to maternity benefits for up to 18 weeks to recover from pregnancy and baby birth.
If the father benefits from paternity leave upon the death of the baby, paternity benefits cease on the Saturday following the date of the baby’s death since they are granted to the father to support him financially during his temporary absence from the labor market to care for his baby. If he has not yet had the opportunity to take advantage of paternity leave, he is unfortunately no longer eligible.
If the baby is born alive but dies during the period of parental leave
If the father benefits from paternity leave upon the death of the baby, paternity benefits cease on the Saturday following the date of the baby’s death since they are granted to the father to support him financially during his temporary absence from the labor market to care for his baby. If he has not yet had the opportunity to take advantage of paternity leave, he is unfortunately no longer eligible.
Parental benefits also cease on the Saturday following the date of the baby’s death because they are also granted to parents who are temporarily absent from the labor market to care for their baby.
For additional information about the QPIP, please visit their website or contact them at 1-888-610-7727.