Manulife Financial (MFC) S-8 Registration of securities for employees

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use of our reports dated February 18, 2016 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Manulife Financial Corporation as at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and for the years then ended, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Manulife Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2015 included in its 2015 Annual Report (Form 40-F) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the registration of deferred compensation obligations of Manulife Financial Corporation in connection with the Deferred Compensation Plan for Certain Employees of John Hancock, as amended, and the Deferred Compensation Plan for the John Hancock Financial Network.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Toronto, Canada

May 13, 2016