Adoption Leave

Notifying Your Program

Eligibility: Residents employed with Nova Scotia Health for at least one (1) year who are adopting a child (or children) under provincial law are eligible for up to 35 weeks of unpaid adoption leave — or longer if required by the adoption agency.

  • When to apply: Provide your Program Director with at least two (2) weeks’ written notice of your planned adoption leave, including the start and end dates.
  • Required documentation: Include a certificate from an official with the Department of Community Services (or equivalent agency) confirming your entitlement to adoption leave.
  • When leave can start:
    • Begins on the date your adopted child (or children) arrive in your home
    • Ends no later than 35 weeks after the leave begins, or 52 weeks after placement, whichever comes first
  • Your program will notify the PGME Office (Dalhousie) through DalMedix. PGME will then inform NS Health (NSH) and Maritime Resident Doctors (MarDocs) of your adoption leave and dates.

 

Employment Insurance

Once your adoption leave begins:

  • Payroll will electronically send your Record of Employment (ROE) to Service Canada, and a copy will be mailed to your home address.
  • Apply for Employment Insurance (EI) as soon as your leave begins — do not wait for your ROE to arrive.
  • EI benefits for adoptive parents begin on the date the child is placed in your care.
  • Apply promptly — EI does not pay retroactively.
  • More information can be found at Service Canada – Employment Insurance

 

Adoption Leave Allowance (Top-Up)

During the first 12 weeks of parental leave, residents may receive Supplementary Employment Benefits (S.E.B.) in accordance with the Collective Agreement.

 

Allowance details:

  • If you serve an EI waiting period:
    • First 5 days: 75% of salary (EI waiting period)
    • Next 55 days: Top-up to 93% of salary (minus EI benefit)
  • If no waiting period applies:
    • 50 days: Top-up to 93% of salary (minus EI benefit)

 

To activate your top-up:

  1. Once your EI claim is active, log in to the Service Canada website.
  2. Go to My Payments and print your EI payment summary (stub).
  3. Fax it to 902-473-4451 or scan and email to meded@nshealth.ca.
  4. Your top-up payments will begin with the next pay cycle and continue for the duration of your allowance period.

 

Important:

  • You must submit your EI stub each time you receive an EI payment to continue receiving top-up.
  • If your spouse has already served the waiting period, you do not need to serve one.

 

Vacation Impact

  • You do not accrue vacation while on adoption or parental leave.
  • Your vacation for that academic year will be prorated based on the number of months you worked.

 

Group Benefits During Leave

  • Your MarDocs / Canada Life group benefits continue during leave with the same cost-sharing arrangement.
  • While you are receiving top-up, premiums continue to be deducted automatically from your bi-weekly payments.
  • Once your top-up ends, you must complete a DEFT form to allow continued deductions directly from your bank account.
    • If not completed, your benefits will remain active, but premiums will be collected in one lump sum when you return to work.

 

After the Adoption

  • If you need to switch to family coverage: Complete the Canada Life Change Form and send to Leanne@mardocs.ca to update your plan.
  • If you already have family coverage: Log in to my.canadalife.com → Profile → Beneficiaries & Dependents to add your child’s information.

 

Helpful Contacts

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