After having served a qualifying period of seven (7) consecutive teaching months in the employ of the Garden Valley School Division, a teacher who is eligible for maternity leave under the provisions of the Employment Standards Code, and who qualifies for Employment Insurance benefits, shall be entitled to receive pay for the period of leave up to seventeen (17) weeks in the amount of ninety percent (90%) of the gross salary being earned at the time leave was taken. This pay shall include any benefits received from Human Resources Development Canada to a Supplementary Employment Benefits Plan.