I;m about to go on Maternity leave here in Canada in a couple months, something that every Canadian mother and or father is entitled to in Canada. Im just wanting to make sure that taking this will not interfere with my application to sponcer my husband for his perm residence? Im also curious if I would be able to take part in a program offered by EI where they assist me through EI, not welfare, to go back to school the year after I have my baby. I was told as long as it wasn't welfare I would be all right, but I want to make sure that going on EI or getting sponcered by it would not mess up my chances of having my husband stay in the country. Hopefully we would have his perm. Residence by September of 2010 anyway and it won't matter. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Well on maternity leave your still getting paid a salary by your employer so I don't believe this would be a problem, as long as your salary is more than the minimum required to sponsor a spouse.

As for going on an EI program to get help through school this might be a problem. Here is a quote off the CIC website regarding sponsorship (link below):

Quote:

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You may not be eligible to be a sponsor if you:

Received government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability

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If you can afford to do so go and speak to an Immigration lawyer, they would probably charge $50 or less for a consultation and see what they say.

Sponsoring your family: Spouses and dependent children

Thanks!