Discovery Day in Yukon is more than just a long weekend; it comes with benefits for employees. If you meet the basic eligibility rules, you can get the day off with holiday pay. And if you work, you may be owed extra pay or a substitute day option.
This guide outlines who qualifies for holiday pay, how to calculate it for different types of employment, and all information about your Discovery Day weekend.
What is Discovery Day in Yukon?
Discovery Day is a statutory holiday in Yukon under the Employment Standards Act (ESA). It’s held on the third Monday of August to honour the territory’s gold rush heritage.
Yukon celebrates Discovery Day instead of Civic Holiday, which is observed on the first Monday of August in other Canadian provinces.
Here’s a quick look at when Yukon celebrates Discovery Day over the next few years.
| Year | Discovery Day Date |
| 2025 | Monday, August 18 |
| 2026 | Monday, August 17 |
| 2027 | Monday, August 16 |
| 2028 | Monday, August 21 |
| 2029 | Monday, August 20 |
| 2030 | Monday, August 19 |
In 2025, Yukon celebrates the day on Monday, August 18. In 2026, Discovery Day falls on Monday, August 17. This creates a three-day weekend for most Yukon employees.
Who is Eligible for Discovery Day Statutory Holiday Pay?
To be eligible for Discovery Day pay, an employee must meet the three main requirements below:
Employment Duration: You must be employed for at least 30 calendar days before Discovery Day in Yukon. Otherwise, you do not receive holiday pay for time off, but earn overtime pay if working on Yukon Discovery Day.
Shift Attendance: You must work your last scheduled shift before the holiday and first scheduled shift after, unless the ESA permits absence. Permitted absences include approved vacation, documented sick leave, or employer-authorized time off.
However, employees on approved leave, such as maternity, medical, or vacation, can still qualify for Discovery Day pay as long as they meet the other criteria.
Work Availability: You must report for work on Discovery Day in Yukon if called by your employer. If you refuse, you lose your holiday pay, but you still get overtime pay for any hours you do work.
These rules apply across all industries, unless your collective agreement provides more favourable benefits.
How Discovery Day in Yukon Affects Your Pay and Benefits?
As a Yukon employee, Discovery Day grants you specific statutory holiday rights under the ESA. It means you either get a paid day off or extra pay if you work on that day, depending on your job type and length of employment.
If you work on Yukon Discovery Day, you can choose between:
- Overtime Rate Option: Receive 1.5 times your regular rate for all hours worked, plus your statutory holiday pay.
- Substitute Day Option: Receive regular wages for hours worked plus a paid day off at a convenient time.
If Yukon Discovery Day is your day off, your next scheduled workday becomes your holiday. This rule helps ensure all eligible employees get holiday advantages as employee benefits.
Part-time and irregular workers earn 10% of their wages from the two weeks before the holiday, which includes regular and overtime pay, but not vacation pay.
Commission employees benefit from the holiday if the week has strong sales, because their pay is calculated based on the week’s average earnings rather than longer periods.
What are the Employer Rules for Discovery Day in Yukon?
Yukon employers must comply with 4 obligations under the ESA when it comes to Discovery Day:
Respect Employee Payment Choice: When employees work on Yukon Discovery Day, employers must offer both payment options: overtime rates for all hours worked, or regular pay plus a substitute day off.
Pay Eligible Employees Whether They Work or Not: Employers must provide statutory holiday pay to all qualifying employees, even if the business closes completely on Discovery Day in Yukon.
Limited Right to Require Work: Employers can only require eligible employees to work on Yukon’s Discovery Day if they are in essential services or if business operations genuinely require holiday staffing. You cannot schedule employees just to avoid paying holiday wages.
Advance Notice Requirements: If you need employees to work on Discovery Day, provide reasonable advance notice. Last-minute scheduling changes may violate employment standards if they appear designed to circumvent holiday pay obligations.
In addition, if the company operate in multiple provinces/territories, remember that Discovery Day is specific to Yukon. Therefore, employees in other jurisdictions can follow their local holiday schedules.
What is Open and Closed on Discovery Day in Yukon?
Most offices in Yukon are closed on Discovery Day, but the status can vary by business type. Here’s a summary of closures for government services, healthcare, emergency services, and private businesses on this day.
- Yukon Government Offices: Territorial government, Service Canada, and municipal offices in Whitehorse, Dawson City, and other communities close.
- Schools and Educational Institutions: All public and most private schools, Yukon University campuses, and territorial libraries close.
- Postal Services: Canada Post offices close with no regular mail pickup or delivery. Post office boxes remain accessible, but counter services are unavailable.
- Courts and Legal Services: Territorial courts, registry offices, and most legal aid services suspend operations, with emergency services only available through on-call systems.
- Hospitals and Emergency Care: Whitehorse General Hospital emergency department operates normally, though some outpatient services may run on reduced schedules.
- Walk-in Clinics: Most close for the holiday, but some may offer limited weekend hours.
- Emergency Services: Police, fire, and ambulance services operate at full capacity throughout the territory.
- Banks and Credit Unions: All branches close, but ATMs remain accessible. Online and mobile banking services continue normally.
- Retail and Shopping: Department stores and many retailers close. But some gas stations, convenience stores, and tourist-focused businesses in Dawson City may stay open with reduced hours.
- Restaurants and Hospitality: Many restaurants and hotels open to serve visitors.
- Transportation: Yukon public transit may run on Sunday schedules. Air North and other airlines operate regular schedules.
Beyond that, tourist-oriented businesses often extend hours to accommodate celebration visitors. So, planning ahead prevents frustration when accessing services or shopping during the holiday weekend.
History of Discovery Day in Yukon
Discovery Day in Yukon is celebrated on August 17 to mark the discovery of gold in Bonanza Creek in 1896 by Keish (Skookum Jim Mason), Káa Goox (Dawson Charlie), Shaaw Tláa (Kate Carmack), and George Carmack.
This discovery led to the Klondike Gold Rush, which transformed Yukon’s landscape and shaped its modern identity. That date also has a profound impact on Indigenous communities.
Between 1897 and 1899, over 100,000 prospectors came to the area for the Bonanza Creek discovery. It turned Dawson City into a bustling center with around 30,000 residents. Although most prospectors did not find much gold, the rush led to lasting communities, the building of the White Pass and Yukon Railway, and the development of local culture.
However, the gold rush forced the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people from their traditional lands at Tr’ochëk. Chief Isaac led them to Moosehide for safety for decades. The First Nation was only able to return to their lands in the 1950s.
Today, Discovery Day celebrations recognize the mixed legacy of the gold rush, honouring both the event’s role in Yukon’s development and the displacement of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people.
Source: Discovery Day in the Yukon – travelyukon.com
Planning your year in Yukon? See our related post covering all Yukon 2025 statutory holidays, including:
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- National Indigenous Peoples Day
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Thanksgiving
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas
The bottom line
To wrap up, Discovery Day is a statutory holiday in Canada that protects your time and your pay. Knowing how holiday pay works helps you avoid surprises in your paycheck. It also allows you to enjoy time with family and friends. And, as you celebrate, remember to reflect on Yukon’s history, including the experiences of First Nations.
FAQs about Discovery Day in Yukon
Can employers require me to use vacation days instead of receiving Discovery Day pay?
No, Discovery Day pay is separate from your vacation entitlement. Your employer cannot force you to use vacation days to cover the statutory holiday.
What’s the difference between Yukon’s Discovery Day and Newfoundland’s Discovery Day?
They are different holidays. Yukon’s Discovery Day (third Monday in August) commemorates the 1896 gold discovery in Bonanza Creek. Newfoundland and Labrador’s Discovery Day (Monday nearest June 24) celebrates John Cabot’s arrival in 1497. If you move between provinces, do not assume the same holiday rules apply.
Can employers pay me Discovery Day wages but then deduct them from my next regular paycheck?
No. Discovery Day pay is legally required compensation that cannot be borrowed from future wages or treated as an advance. Your employer must pay statutory holiday wages in addition to your regular pay, not instead of it. This would be a serious Employment Standards violation.
Do I get the Yukon holiday if I am temporarily assigned to work in Alberta during Discovery Day week?
It depends on your employment contract and which province’s employment standards apply to your work. Generally, if a Yukon company employs you and you normally work in Yukon, you’d follow Yukon’s holiday schedule even when temporarily working elsewhere. However, complex multi-jurisdictional situations require careful review of your specific employment arrangement.
What happens if I quit my job on Discovery Day?
If you were eligible for Discovery Day pay (worked 30 days, met other requirements), you’re still entitled to that payment even if you quit on the holiday itself. Your employer cannot withhold statutory holiday pay as a penalty for quitting.
Can employers count Discovery Day as my floating holiday?
No. Discovery Day is a statutory holiday with specific legal requirements. Your employer cannot substitute their floating holiday policy for statutory holiday entitlements. If you are eligible, you must receive Discovery Day benefits as defined by law.
Can employers require me to find my own replacement if I don’t want to work Discovery Day?
No, scheduling coverage is your employer’s responsibility, not yours. While some workplaces have informal shift-trading arrangements, your employer cannot make finding a replacement a condition of getting your statutory holiday entitlements.
