Playfelt - I think that is how it works. Like I said I worked on a job previously though before my mat leave. I have been paying into self employed EI benefits though for 2 years now. I think I roughly pay $300 a year at income tax time (calculated on your net income as well). You have to pay into it for a full year before you can apply for it.

It isn't just for maternity leave it is also for sick benefits. I don't plan on anymore children and still pay into it. I think the $300 a year is far worth the investment in the event you become ill and cannot work for a long period of time. I think the max a person would have to pay is $750 a year but you would have to net a big chunk of money to owe that much.