If you terminate an employee on an unpaid maternity leave of absence should an employer continue her benefits until the end of her leave?

First of all, it may be illegal to terminate an employee on maternity leave. It could be a breach of the Employment Standards Act and the Human Rights Code. If the termination is otherwise, legal, the employer is required to continue benefit coverage for the duration of the severance period. So, for example, if an employee is entitled to 12 months severance, benefits should be continued for 12 months.