70. (1) In this section, “leave of absence” means a leave of absence for the purpose of undertaking employment under the auspices of the Government of Canada or other public agency or in the private sector.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 977, s. 70 (1). (2) A deputy minister may grant to an employee of his or her ministry leave of absence with pay for a period of not more than two years and, if the leave was granted for less than two years, may extend it from time to time, provided the total period of the absence is not more than two years.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 977, s. 70 (2). (3) A deputy minister, with the approval of the Secretary of Management Board of Cabinet, may grant to an employee of his or her ministry leave of absence with pay for a period of not more than five years and, if the leave was granted for less than five years, the deputy minister, with the approval of the Secretary of Management Board of Cabinet, may extend it from time to time, provided the total period of the absence is not more than five years.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 977, s. 70 (3); O. Reg. 12/93, s. 1. (4) Where a leave of absence was originally granted under subsection (2), the deputy minister, with the approval of the Secretary of Management Board of Cabinet, may extend it from time to time provided the total period of absence does not exceed five years.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 977, s. 70 (4); O. Reg. 12/93, s. 1. (5) A deputy minister may grant to an employee of his or her ministry leave of absence without pay and without accumulation of credits for a period of not more than two years and, if the leave was granted for less than two years, may extend it from time to time, provided the total period of the absence is not more than two years.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 977, s. 70 (5). (6) A deputy minister, with the approval of the Secretary of Management Board of Cabinet, may grant to an employee of his or her ministry leave of absence without pay and without accumulation of credits for a period of not more than five years and, if the original leave was for less than five years, the deputy minister, with the approval of the Secretary of Management Board of Cabinet, may extend it from time to time, provided the total period of the absence is not more than five years.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 977, s. 70 (6); O. Reg. 12/93, s. 1. (7) Where a leave of absence was originally granted under subsection (5), the deputy minister, with the approval of the Secretary of Management Board of Cabinet, may extend the leave of absence from time to time, provided the total period of absence does not exceed five years.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 977, s. 70 (7); O. Reg. 12/93, s. 1. (8) Where leave of absence with pay is granted, (a) the employee is entitled to the same sick leave benefits and vacation credits to which the employee would be entitled if the employee had not taken the leave of absence; (b) the employee shall submit regular personal attendance reports; and (c) the employing agency shall reimburse the Minister of Finance, (i) for the salary of the employee, and (ii) for contributions made by the Government of Ontario on behalf of the employee in respect of the Public Service Pension Plan, the Canada Pension Plan, the Employment Insurance Act (Canada) and group insurance plans.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 977, s. 70 (8); O. Reg. 399/01, s. 9. (9) Where leave of absence without pay and without accumulation of credits is granted, the employee, at the employee’s option, may continue to participate in the group insurance plans in which the employee would have participated if the employee had not taken the leave of absence if the employee pays the full premiums for the coverage under the plans.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 977, s. 70 (9). self-funded leave