Montreal-area mother loses job on maternity leave, then denied EI benefits
Global News
Celia Johnston was supposed to be back at work in October, but a week before her return, she got a call saying her job was being cut.
After a year on maternity leave, Celia Johnston was supposed to be back at work in October.
But a week before her return, she got a call saying her job was being cut.
“My employer called me and told me that due to the company’s financial performance, she was gonna have to let me go,” said Johnston.
“So officially, in October, I was laid off, and I put in my application with employment insurance that week.”
Johnston says she quickly applied for employment insurance, expecting some income while she looked for another job.
After weeks of going back and forth with agents, she said, she was informed that her application was denied — because while on mat leave, she wasn’t accumulating any insurable hours.
“It’s such a vulnerable time for a new mother and families,” she said. “You’ve been off work for an entire year, which is a big gap on your CV. They’ve reduced the income of about 50 per cent on your maternity leave — and then you’re hit with this situation that wasn’t expected.”
Advocates at Mouvement action chômage Montréal says Johnston isn’t alone.
Here is a list of the status of schools, if they are open or closed, in the Greater Toronto Area for Thursday, January 15, 2026:
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