Mother’s Day: A Quiz for New Moms

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Mother’s Day is coming up on May 11! As a new mom, you’re likely experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and challenges. As a little treat, we’ve put together a quiz to help you better understand your rights.

Fête des Mère (anglais)

As a pregnant employee, you are allowed to take an unpaid maternity leave. What do you think is the maximum length of this leave?

Wrong answer

You can take up to 18 weeks of maternity leave. However, your employer could allow you to take more than 18 weeks.

You’re also entitled to 65 weeks of unpaid parental leave, which you can share with your child’s other parent. In addition, employees who did not give birth or who are adopting a child are entitled to up to five weeks of unpaid leave.

Did you know? Although these are considered “unpaid” leaves, you are entitled to receive benefits from the Québec Parental Insurance Plan (Régime québécois d’assurance parentale) when you take your maternity leave, your leave as the person who did not give birth to the child, or your parental leave. 

Right answer

You can take up to 18 weeks of maternity leave. However, your employer could allow you to take more than 18 weeks.

You’re also entitled to 65 weeks of unpaid parental leave, which you can share with your child’s other parent. In addition, employees who did not give birth or who are adopting a child are entitled to up to five weeks of unpaid leave.

Did you know? Although these are considered “unpaid” leaves, you are entitled to receive benefits from the Québec Parental Insurance Plan (Régime québécois d’assurance parentale) when you take your maternity leave, your leave as the person who did not give birth to the child, or your parental leave. 

When do you think you can take your maternity leave?

Wrong answer

You can start your maternity leave as early as 16 weeks before your expected due date, and no later than 20 weeks after the week you give birth. You can choose to schedule your leave before or after the expected due date, depending on what you prefer.

Did you know?  Different deadlines apply to taking other kinds of leave. For the 65 weeks of parental leave that you can share with the other parent, you can take it starting the week of your child’s birth, and no later than 85 weeks after. In addition, if you get the help of a surrogate, you can take your parental leave no later than 104 weeks after the birth of your child. As for leave for the person who did not give birth to the child, you can take it starting the week of your child’s birth, and no later than 78 weeks afterwards. 

Right answer

You can start your maternity leave as early as 16 weeks before your expected due date, and no later than 20 weeks after the week you give birth. You can choose to schedule your leave before or after the expected due date, depending on what you prefer.

Did you know? Different deadlines apply to taking other kinds of leave. For the 65 weeks of parental leave that you can share with the other parent, you can take it starting the week of your child’s birth, and no later than 85 weeks after. In addition, if you get the help of a surrogate, you can take your parental leave no later than 104 weeks after the birth of your child. As for leave for the person who did not give birth to the child, you can take it starting the week of your child’s birth, and no later than 78 weeks afterwards. 

You told your boss that you would take 18 weeks of maternity leave. Can you change your mind and return to work early?

Right answer

You can return to work before the end of your maternity leave. 

Did you know? If you return to work within two weeks of giving birth, your employer may require a medical certificate confirming that you are fit to work.

To learn more, read our article Returning to Work after Parental, Maternity or Paternity Leave. 

Wrong answer

You can return to work before the end of your maternity leave. 

Did you know? If you return to work within two weeks of giving birth, your employer may require a medical certificate confirming that you are fit to work.

To learn more, read our article Returning to Work after Parental, Maternity or Paternity Leave. 

True or false. You may receive additional financial support from the Quebec government during your pregnancy and after childbirth to help with food expenses if you are receiving benefits from the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program.

Right answer

The Quebec government offers financial assistance to help you buy food during your pregnancy and to feed your child under the age of one. You can apply for three types of special benefits from the government: 

  • $55 more per month to feed yourself until giving birth,
  • $55 more per month when you are breastfeeding your baby under the age of one, 
  • A special benefit of up to $43 for every purchase of 2 cases of 12 cans of 385 ml of baby formula.  

You are entitled to these amounts when you benefit from the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program. 

Important! You can receive both the breastfeeding allowance and the food allowance (baby formula) at the same time for up to one month. This period helps your baby adjust to the change in diet. 

Wrong answer

The Quebec government offers financial assistance to help you buy food during your pregnancy and to feed your child under the age of one. You can apply for three types of special benefits from the government: 

  • $55 more per month to feed yourself until giving birth,
  • $55 more per month when you are breastfeeding your baby under the age of one, 
  • A special benefit of up to $43 for every purchase of 2 cases of 12 cans of 385 ml of baby formula.  

You are entitled to these amounts when you benefit from the Social Assistance Program or the Social Solidarity Program. 

Important! You can receive both the breastfeeding allowance and the food allowance (baby formula) at the same time for up to one month. This period helps your baby adjust to the change in diet. 

Every year, parents, including mothers, are entitled to time off work for familial and personal reasons. How many days do you think you can take off work to take care of your child, without putting your job at risk?

Wrong answer

You have the right to take up to 10 days off per year to take care of your child’s supervision, health, or education.

Did you know? If you’ve been employed for at least three months, your employer must pay you for the first two days of leave taken for family or personal reasons.  

To learn more : Time Off Work for Personal and Family Reasons  

Right answer

You have the right to take up to 10 days off per year to take care of your child’s supervision, health, or education.

Did you know? If you’ve been employed for at least three months, your employer must pay you for the first two days of leave taken for family or personal reasons.  

To learn more : Time Off Work for Personal and Family Reasons  

Are you allowed to breastfeed your baby in public places, like a park, store, movie theater, hotel, courthouse, or workplace?

Right answer

You can breastfeed your baby wherever you want. The Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms protects you against discrimination based on your sex. It gives you the right to access public places and to breastfeed.     

Wrong answer

You can breastfeed your baby wherever you want. The Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms protects you against discrimination based on your sex. It gives you the right to access public places and to breastfeed.