76.81. An officer’s participation in the plan shall be suspended for the duration of the maternity leave that occurs during the period of work. The plan shall then be extended for a period equal to the maternity leave.
Where the maternity leave occurs during the period of leave, it is presumed not to have occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be considered to have begun on the scheduled date of an officer’s return to work on condition that the provisions of Chapter 4.1 respecting maternity leave are complied with.
Where the maternity leave occurs before the period of leave, an officer may terminate participation in the plan. In such a case, the salary that was not paid for the period of work elapsed shall be reimbursed, in addition to any compensation and, where applicable, the employment insurance benefits provided for the maternity leave, but without interest. The amounts so reimbursed shall be subject to the contribution to the retirement plan.
Subject to sections 76.78 and 76.79, the maternity leave may be extended by a leave without pay or partial leave without pay without affecting the officer’s participation in the plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any of the leaves, the duration of participation in the plan shall be extended accordingly, except if the period of leave has begun.