The short version
- The biggest help for new parents in Canada comes from federal programs: the Canada Child Benefit, EI maternity and parental benefits and the Canada Learning Bond.
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library mails a free book every month in parts of Canada, wherever a local partner funds it.
- File your taxes every year, even with no income. The Canada Child Benefit and Canada Learning Bond both depend on it.
- Many freebies you see online, like U.S. registry welcome boxes, don't ship to Canada.
Most lists of free baby stuff are written for American parents, so a lot of it doesn't apply here. This guide covers the free baby stuff Canada actually offers families, from monthly payments to free books, and how to claim each one.
Free baby stuff in Canada at a glance
| Program | What you get | How to claim |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Child Benefit | Tax-free monthly payment | When you register the birth, or through CRA My Account |
| EI maternity and parental benefits | Up to $729 a week while you're off work | Online, as soon as you stop working |
| Canada Learning Bond | Free money in an RESP for lower-income families | Open an RESP and ask for it |
| Imagination Library | A free book every month until age 5 | Online, in participating areas |
1. Canada Child Benefit
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18. The amount depends on your family income, how many children you have and their ages. Families with an adjusted family net income under $38,237 get the maximum amount for each child.
Most provinces let you apply at the same time you register your baby's birth. You can also apply through CRA My Account.
2. EI maternity and parental benefits
If you have enough insurable hours of work, Employment Insurance pays up to 15 weeks of maternity benefits to the person giving birth, at 55% of earnings up to $729 a week. Parents then choose between:
- Standard parental benefits: up to 40 weeks shared between parents, taken within 12 months.
- Extended parental benefits: taken within 18 months, at a lower weekly rate.
Both parents must choose the same option. Apply online as soon as you stop working. Quebec has its own plan, so check it if you live there.
3. Canada Learning Bond
The Canada Learning Bond puts free money into a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for children from lower-income families. You don't have to put in a cent yourself. To get it, apply for your child's Social Insurance Number, then open an RESP at a bank or credit union and ask for the bond.
From April 2028, the government plans to open an RESP automatically for eligible children born in 2024 or later who don't have one by age 4. You don't need to wait for that.
4. Free books by mail
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library runs in Canada wherever a local partner pays for the books and shipping. Choose Canada on the Imagination Library site, check your area, and register your child. Books start arriving in about 8 to 10 weeks. See more in our guide to free books for babies.
What about U.S. freebies?
Many of the freebies in our main free baby stuff guide are U.S. only. The Amazon registry welcome box ships only within the contiguous U.S., and the Babylist box needs a U.S. address. Your province or territory may run its own programs too, so check its website. You can also browse every perk for families in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What free stuff can you get for a baby in Canada?
The main help comes from federal programs: the Canada Child Benefit, EI maternity and parental benefits if you have enough insurable hours, and the Canada Learning Bond for lower-income families. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library also mails free books in participating areas.
How do I apply for the Canada Child Benefit for a newborn?
Most provinces let you apply when you register your baby's birth. You can also apply through CRA My Account. File your taxes every year, even with no income, to keep getting payments.
How much are EI maternity benefits in Canada?
EI pays up to 15 weeks of maternity benefits at 55% of earnings, up to $729 a week. Parents can then take standard parental benefits (up to 40 weeks shared, within 12 months) or extended parental benefits (within 18 months, at a lower weekly rate). Quebec has its own plan.
Can I get the Amazon or Babylist registry box in Canada?
No. Amazon's baby registry welcome box ships only within the contiguous U.S., and the Babylist Hello Baby Box needs a U.S. shipping address.
How we research: we check every offer against the brand's or program's own website before publishing and when we update a guide. Programs change, so always confirm the details at the source before you sign up. Read our editorial standards, or tell us about a correction. Some links may be affiliate links; see our disclosure.