Good Friday in Canada is one of the most sacred days on the Christian calendar. Marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, this solemn holiday holds deep spiritual meaning for Christians worldwide. Good Friday stands as a federal statutory holiday in Canada, providing a day of contemplation and rest for the faithful and non-religious alike.
Christianity remains the nation’s largest religion. As a core part of Canadian identity, Good Friday offers insight into a definitive aspect of Canadian heritage and national life. This guide explores its origins, traditions, and unique standing as a public holiday across the provinces.
When is Good Friday Celebrated in Canada?
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Easter is determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon following the March equinox. As a result, Good Friday falls between March 20 and April 23, depending on the year. In 2026, Good Friday falls on April 3, which is two days before Easter Sunday on April 5, 2026.
Here are the upcoming dates for Good Friday in Canada over the next decade:
| Year | Date of Good Friday |
| 2025 | Friday, April 18th |
| 2026 | Friday, April 3 |
| 2027 | Friday, March 26 |
| 2028 | Friday, April 14 |
| 2029 | Friday, March 30 |
| 2030 | Friday, April 19 |
| 2031 | Friday, April 11 |
| 2032 | Friday, March 26 |
| 2033 | Friday, April 15 |
| 2034 | Friday, April 7 |
Is Good Friday a Public Holiday in Canada?
Yes, Good Friday is a public holiday across Canada, with the exception of Quebec, where the day is partially observed.
At the federal level, it is designated as a statutory holiday under the Canada Labour Code. This guarantees a paid day off for employees in federally regulated sectors, including:
- Banking employees
- Postal workers
- Those in the aviation and railway industries
- Telecommunications workers
- Federal civil servants
Beyond federally regulated sectors, Good Friday is also a statutory holiday in the provinces. Here is the statutory holiday status on Good Friday across Canada:
| Province/Territory | Holiday Designation |
| British Columbia | Statutory holiday |
| Alberta | General holiday |
| Saskatchewan | Public holiday |
| Manitoba | General holiday |
| Ontario | Public holiday |
| Quebec | Optional (employer choice between Good Friday and Easter Monday) |
| New Brunswick | Paid public holiday |
| Nova Scotia | Paid holiday |
| Prince Edward Island | Paid holiday |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Paid holiday |
| Yukon | Statutory holiday |
| Northwest Territories | Statutory holiday |
| Nunavut | General holiday |
While Quebec does not designate Good Friday as a statutory holiday for all workers, many employers still provide the day off based on collective agreements. There are no rules requiring retail stores to close on Good Friday, so always confirm local store hours.
Employee Rights on Good Friday by Province and Territory in Canada
Good Friday is recognized everywhere, but the rules about pay and eligibility for employees can differ greatly depending on the area. Here’s a summary of employment standards for this holiday pay across Canada:
British Columbia
Employees get paid an average day’s wage for Good Friday if they do not work. If they do work on that day, they earn time-and-a-half pay (double time for over 12 hours) plus an average day’s pay if eligible. Employers can also choose to pay regular wages for hours worked and give a paid day off instead.
To qualify for either option, employees must have worked for 30 days and earned wages on at least 15 of those days, or they must have been employed for 30 calendar days.
Source: Statutory holidays – gov.bc.ca
Alberta
Eligible employees must have worked for the same employer for at least 30 days in the last year and must work their last scheduled shift before and after the holiday. If they do not work, they receive an average pay based on the previous 4 weeks.
Those scheduled to work on Good Friday can choose either:
- 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked plus the average daily wage.
- Regular wages for hours worked, and give a paid day off later at the employee’s average daily wage.
Note that “regular day” is defined by the 5-of-9 rule.
Source: Employment standards – Alberta general holidays – alberta.ca
Saskatchewan
Employees in the province are entitled to 5% of wages earned in the 28 days preceding the holiday, excluding overtime pay.
If they do work on Good Friday, they receive their regular pay plus 1.5 times their pay for the hours worked, or they can choose a substitute day off instead. For those with varying hours, averaging calculations are used to determine their pay.
Source: Paying Employees for Public Holidays – saskatchewan.ca
Manitoba
Good Friday is a general holiday for all employees in Manitoba, with no minimum time worked needed to qualify. Employees who consistently work hours receive one regular day’s pay. For those with varying hours or wages, holiday pay is 5% of gross wages (excluding overtime) for the previous 4 weeks.
If employees work on Good Friday, they receive their holiday pay plus 1.5 times their regular pay for the hours worked. However, in specific sectors like gas stations, hospitals, hotels, and restaurants, employers may pay regular wages instead if they provide an additional day off with general holiday pay within 30 days.
Note that employers may substitute another holiday for any general holiday except Orange Shirt Day, but this requires a collective agreement or the written consent of most employees within 12 months. Since December 12, 2020, retail businesses can set their own hours on Sundays and holidays, but municipalities can still create rules to limit these hours.
Source: General Holidays – Fact Sheet – gov.mb.ca
Ontario
In Ontario, to qualify for Good Friday pay, employees must work their scheduled shifts before and after the holiday unless they have a valid reason for being absent. Holiday pay is calculated by dividing the average of regular wages for the four weeks leading up to Good Friday, including any vacation pay during that period, by 20.
If employees work on Good Friday and have an agreement with their employer, they can choose between receiving:
- public holiday pay plus a 1.5 times premium on their regular rate, or
- their regular pay for the hours worked, with a day off later, including holiday pay.
Some industries, such as hotels and hospitals, may have different rules regarding holiday work.
Source: Public holidays – ontario.ca
Quebec
Employers can choose either Easter Monday or Good Friday as a holiday in Quebec. Employees who have not missed work without permission before or after the holiday are eligible for pay. Holiday pay is calculated as 1/20 of the wages earned in the 4 weeks before the holiday, excluding overtime.
If workers have to work on Good Friday, they get their regular pay plus extra for the hours worked, or they can take a compensatory day off instead.
Source: List of paid statutory holidays – cnesst.gouv.qc.ca
New Brunswick
To get Good Friday off, an employee needs to meet these criteria:
- Have at least 90 days of employment within the last 12 months.
- Must have worked the regular scheduled day before and after the holiday (unless there’s a valid reason).
- If they choose to work on the holiday, they must show up as scheduled.
If they do not work, they receive a regular day’s pay. If they do work, they earn their regular pay plus 1.5 times their hourly wage for each hour worked. For those with varying pay, the calculation is based on the average from the 30 days before the holiday. Employers also have the option to pay 4% of gross wages from the start of employment, rather than the usual holiday pay.
Source: Paid public holidays, vacation time and pay – gnb.ca
Nova Scotia
To qualify for Good Friday pay, an employee must be paid for at least 15 of the 30 days preceding the holiday and work the last shift before and the first shift after the holiday.
If they do not work on Good Friday, they receive a regular day’s pay. If they do work, they earn a regular day’s pay plus 1.5 times their regular rate for the hours worked. For continuous operations, employers can pay regular pay for hours worked and offer a different day off with pay instead.
Source: Holiday Pay – novascotia.ca
Prince Edward Island
Employees must have worked for 30 days, earned pay on at least 15 of those days, and worked their shifts before and after the holiday. If they work on Good Friday, they can choose to receive either regular pay plus 1.5 times their hourly rate for the hours worked, or regular pay for those hours plus an additional day off with pay, arranged before their next vacation.
Source: Paid Holidays – princeedwardisland.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador
To receive pay for Good Friday when not working, employees must have worked at least 30 days and must work their scheduled shifts before and after the holiday. If eligible employees do not work on Good Friday, they receive an average day’s pay.
If Good Friday is a day off, employees may take another paid day off on the next workday or on a mutually agreed-upon day.
Those who work on Good Friday have three compensation options: pay at double their regular rate for hours worked, an additional paid day off within 30 days, or an extra vacation day. Employees can choose the option they prefer.
Source: Your Rights At Work – gov.nl.ca
Yukon
Employees must work their last scheduled shift before Good Friday and their first scheduled shift after the holiday. If they do not work, they get paid for a regular day. Those who work on Good Friday earn their regular pay plus 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked, or they can choose a substitute day off. Special rules apply to continuous operations such as hotels, hospitals, and restaurants.
Source: Find a Yukon statutory holiday – yukon.ca
Northwest Territories
Employees must have worked for the same employer for at least 30 days within the past year. They also need to work their shifts immediately before and after the holiday and be available to work on the holiday if required.
Eligible employees who do not work on Good Friday get paid for an average day. Those who do work can choose between an extra day off with pay or receive pay for the hours worked at 1.5 times their regular rate.
Source: Employment Standards Fact Sheet – ece.gov.nt.ca
Nunavut
Nunavut has holiday rules for Good Friday similar to federal standards. To qualify for pay, employees need to work their scheduled shifts before and after the holiday. Those who do not work receive an average daily income, while those who do work receive their average pay plus extra for the hours worked. The employment standards in Nunavut also offer protections similar to those in other Canadian jurisdictions.
Source: Labour and Employment Standards in Nunavut – gov.nu.ca
What Do Canadians Do on Good Friday?
Good Friday marks a solemn occasion for Christians across Canada. Many attend church services held between 12 pm to 3 pm to commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion during those hours. Special masses, sermons, and prayers take place, often focused on the Stations of the Cross, including:
- His condemnation before Pontius Pilate
- Carrying the cross to Calvary
- The crucifixion and death of Jesus
Some churches conduct Passion plays recreating the Easter story. Others practice veneration of the cross, kneeling before a crucifix in prayer. For Catholics, Good Friday involves fasting or abstaining from meat.
Beyond religious services, Canadians enjoy hot cross buns, a sweet pastry marked with an icing cross. Friends and extended families gather for meals or vacations during the long weekend kick-started by Good Friday. The day off provides a chance to travel, spend time outdoors, or simply relax at home.
Are Stores and Restaurants Open on Good Friday in Canada?
Retail closures depend on provincial and territorial regulations. In Ontario, most stores must close on Good Friday under the Retail Business Holidays Act, although there are exceptions, such as small specialty shops and certain pharmacies. Toronto has its own rules for holiday shopping.
Restaurant opening also varies. In provinces mandating closures, some eateries may still operate on holidays. Restaurants remain open as usual in areas with no restrictions, such as British Columbia. Those wanting to dine out on Good Friday can call ahead to confirm hours.
Shopping malls follow retail closing rules, though anchors like drug stores inside may open. Movie theatres usually close in provinces with mandated closures and reduce hours elsewhere. Public parks and recreational facilities also often close or operate fewer hours.
Good Friday shoppers should plan, as most retailers outside of groceries and pharmacies stay closed. Restaurants also close in some areas, though limited dining options exist regionally.
Disclaimer: Employment rules and store closing hours may change. This page offers a summary; always verify with your provincial/territorial government and the Canada Labour Code for the latest updates.
How Canadians Celebrate Good Friday
Canadians mark Good Friday according to family heritage, faith, and regional norms. Key observances include:
Church Services: Attending mass or service is the most common tradition. Even less devout Canadians often attend a Good Friday service.
Fasting: Many Catholics fast or only eat fish on Good Friday. Fasting shows sorrow for Jesus’ sacrifice.
Hot Cross Buns: These sweet, spiced buns get their name from the cross topping the glazed treats. Hot cross buns are a seasonal tradition.
Family Time: Secular Canadians embrace the statutory holiday to spend quality time with loved ones. The long weekend offers opportunities to travel or share meals.
Jesus Processions: In some churches, a Jesus figure is walked around the altar and building in a reenactment of the Passion and crucifixion.
No Meat: Good Friday menus focus on vegetables, fish, eggs, and dairy, excluding meat in remembrance of Christ’s suffering.
Alfombras: In parts of Hispanic Canada, colourful sawdust carpets, called alfombras, decorate streets during processions.
Passion Plays: Theatrical church productions may retell the Easter story from Jesus’ Last Supper through the Resurrection.
Children’s Activities: Sunday school classes teach the meaning of Easter through crafts, games, and reenactments of Holy Week events.
Key Facts and Statistics on Good Friday in Canada
- Christianity is the largest religion in Canada, with approximately 53.3% of Canadians belonging to a Christian denomination. Catholicism remains the most widely practiced form.
- Good Friday is recognized as a federal holiday. It is mentioned in the Interpretation Act and considered a general holiday for federally regulated workers in the Canada Labour Code. This status has been in place since Confederation.
- Quebec banned nearly all retail trade on Catholic holy days, including Good Friday, until 2018. Now, stores may voluntarily open, though school and government closures remain.
- In R. v. Edwards Books (1986), the Supreme Court held that Ontario’s law requiring stores to close on holidays violated freedom of religion(s.2(a)). However, they concluded that the law was acceptable under section 1 because it aimed to create a common day of rest for everyone.
Canada is a multicultural country that celebrates many holidays and festivals throughout the year. Some of the major Canadian holidays include:
- New Year’s Day
- Family Day
- St. Patrick’s Day
- Easter
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
FAQs related to Good Friday in Canada
What are Good Friday traditions in Canada?
Common traditions include church services, passion plays, stations of the cross, eating hot cross buns and fish, Easter egg decorating and hunts, parades, and family gatherings.
How is Good Friday celebrated in Quebec?
Quebec does not mandate Good Friday as a paid holiday. However, many employers still observe it, and schools and post offices close. Retail stores must close until 1 pm by law.
When is Good Friday in Canada in 2026?
In 2026, Good Friday falls on April 3rd in Canada.
Does Canada Post Deliver Mail on Good Friday?
No, Canada Post observes Good Friday as a national holiday, so there is no mail collection or delivery. Privately operated outlets may have different hours depending on the business.
Can small businesses stay open on Good Friday?
Small business operations depend on provincial regulations and business type. Essential services and businesses exempt from holiday closures may operate. In provinces like Ontario, retail restrictions apply regardless of business size.
What happens to Good Friday pay during maternity leave?
Employees on maternity or parental leave may still receive Good Friday pay depending on provincial legislation and how recently they worked. Some provinces maintain holiday entitlements during protected leaves.
How do shift workers handle Good Friday scheduling?
Shift workers scheduled on Good Friday must receive premium compensation. Those not scheduled still receive holiday pay if eligible. Employers must follow seniority rules or collective agreements when determining holiday work assignments.
Can employers bank Good Friday for later time off?
Some provinces allow employers and employees to agree on bank statutory holidays. The substitute day must be taken within specific timeframes (usually before the next annual vacation), and agreements should be documented in writing.
