Family caregiver leave in Ontario is a protected, unpaid leave of absence under the Employment Standards Act (ESA). If your family member has a serious medical condition, you have the right to take time off work to care for them — without losing your job.

This leave gives employees peace of mind knowing they can step away to provide care when it’s needed most.

Who Can Take Family Caregiver Leave in Ontario?

You can take Ontario family caregiver leave if:

• You are covered by the ESA (most employees in Ontario are).
• A qualified health practitioner (such as a doctor or nurse practitioner) provides a medical certificate stating that your family member has a serious medical condition.

You do not need to live with the family member to qualify.

Eligible family members include:

• Spouse or partner
• Parent, step-parent, or foster parent
• Child, step-child, or foster child
• Grandparent or grandchild
• Siblings
• In-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews
• Any person who considers you like family

Related: Ontario employees may also qualify for Family Responsibility Leave, which provides up to three unpaid days each year for urgent family matters.

How Long Is Family Caregiver Leave?

You can take up to 8 weeks of unpaid leave per calendar year per family member with a serious medical condition.

• Example: If both your parent and sibling are ill, you may take 8 weeks for each, totalling 16 weeks off in one year.

Is Family Caregiver Leave Paid in Ontario?

No. Family caregiver leave is unpaid...

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