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					Originally Posted by Rathji  Starting in Jan 2008, I believe employers had to hold jobs for 2 years from the start of mat leave. My baby was born before that date though, so I am not 100% sure about the details.
 I am fairly sure you are correct on the maximum amount. I have also heard that if you talk to EI, you can take normal EI instead of mat leave, which doubles the maximum amount, but EI only pays out for 6 months. Again, I heard this through a friend, so unsure how accurate it is, or if your employer needs to hold your job.
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To qualify you need to have worked 600 hrs. 
My wife is currently on Mat leave.  She receives 55% of her income, but here's the kicker, no tax or ei or any other deductions so it actually comes out to about 80% of your salary.  We never heard of a maximum, she is paid much more than that amount.
You get 15 weeks mat leave and 35 weeks of parental leave and the 2 weeks of unpaid mat leave is you so desire.
About leaving early, my wife did this with her work w/o any problems.  They just gave her unpaid vacation (leave), she was left on payroll until our little guy was born.  Pretty simple IMO.
I also took 4 weeks of parental leave (the 35 weeks is shared) and again, they paid me about 80% of what i was earning. (which is again, much more than 750/2 weeks):
(edit: i just took a look and the maximum amount is $447/week; coincidentally that's what both of us were getting)
Good luck and congrats!