Statutory Holidays in Canada: 2025 Updates

Statutory Holidays in Canada 2024 Updates

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Canada has a unique system of statutory holidays that provides employees with paid time off work. Unlike in the United States, stat holidays are mandated by law across the country. However, the specific public holidays observed can vary between provinces and territories.

This article will provide a comprehensive guide to statutory holidays in Canada for 2025. We will examine key questions, including:

What are statutory holidays in Canada?
What are the statutory holidays in 2025?
How do statutory holidays impact payroll?
What are the statutory holiday pay rates?
Who is eligible for statutory holiday pay?
What if a statutory holiday falls on an employee’s normal day off?

Let’s explore Canada’s statutory holiday system and what it means for employers and employees across the country.

What are statutory holidays in Canada?

Statutory holidays, also known as “public” or “stat” holidays, refer to paid days off work mandated by law in Canada. These stat holidays are not counted as part of an employee’s annual vacation days. Instead, they represent additional paid leave.

Statutory holidays serve to provide workers with paid time off to rest and celebrate occasions of national, cultural, or religious significance. For businesses, statutory holidays impact payroll processing and scheduling.

Canada has a decentralized system, where the federal government sets 5 nationwide statutory holidays. Provinces and territories can mandate additional public holidays specific to their region. This results in variations in the number and designation of stat holidays across the country.

What are the statutory holidays in Canada in 2025?

Canada has both nationwide statutory holidays celebrated across the country, as well as additional regional public holidays mandated by individual provinces and territories.

Common National Statutory Holidays in Canada — Statutory Holidays in Canada 2025

Below, we will outline the statutory holidays in 2025 for each province and territory in Canada:

Nationwide Statutory Holidays

There are 5 nationwide statutory holidays mandated federally:

New Year’s Day – January 1 – Marks the start of the calendar year.
Good Friday – April 18 – The Friday before Easter Sunday – Christian holiday marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Canada Day – July 1 – Commemorates the day Canada became a nation in 1867.
Labour Day – September 1 – First Monday in September – Tributes the achievements of workers and the labour movement in Canada.
Christmas Day – December 25 – Celebrates the nativity of Jesus Christ.

Additionally, there are 5 more statutory holidays mandated federally for workers in federally regulated industries such as banks, airlines, and government offices:

Easter Monday – April 21 – Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Victoria Day – May 19 – Last Monday before May 25 – Honors Queen Victoria’s birthday and the current monarch’s official Canadian birthday.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30 – Honors survivors of Canada’s residential school system.
Thanksgiving – October 13 – Second Monday in October – Gives thanks for the year’s harvest and other blessings.
Remembrance Day – November 11 – Commemorates Canada’s war veterans and fallen soldiers.

Some provinces have also made some of these additional holidays mandatory, even for non-federally regulated workers.

Stat Holidays By Province and Territory

Below we outline the additional statutory holidays by province and territory on top of the nationwide observances:

British Columbia

Family Day – Third Monday in February (February 17, 2025)
Victoria Day – Last Monday before May 25 (May 19, 2025)
British Columbia Day – First Monday in August (August 4, 2025)
Thanksgiving Day – Second Monday in October (October 13, 2025)
Remembrance Day – November 11, 2025

Alberta

Family Day
Victoria Day
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day

Optional:

Easter Monday
Heritage Day
Boxing Day

Saskatchewan

Family Day
Victoria Day
Saskatchewan Day – First Monday in August (August 4, 2025)
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day

Manitoba

Louis Riel Day – Third Monday in February (February 17, 2025)
Victoria Day
Thanksgiving Day

Ontario

Family Day
Victoria Day
Thanksgiving Day
Boxing Day – December 26, 2025

Quebec

Easter Monday – Monday after Easter Sunday (April 21, 2025)
National Patriots’ Day – Monday before May 25 (May 19, 2025)
St. Jean Baptiste Day – June 24
Thanksgiving Day

Note: Employers can choose to observe either Good Friday or Easter Monday

New Brunswick

Family Day
Victoria Day
New Brunswick Day – First Monday in August (August 4, 2025)
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day
Boxing Day

Nova Scotia

Heritage Day – Third Monday in February (February 17, 2025)
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day

Prince Edward Island

Islander Day – Third Monday in February (February 17, 2025)
Remembrance Day

Newfoundland and Labrador

St. Patrick’s Day – March 17
St. George’s Day – Monday nearest to April 23 (April 21, 2025)
Discovery Day – Nearest Monday to June 24 (June 23, 2025)
Regatta Day – First Wednesday in August (August 6, 2025)
Remembrance Day

Note: Newfoundland and Labrador observe Memorial Day on July 1 instead of Canada Day

Yukon

Heritage Day – Third Monday in February (February 17, 2025)
Victoria Day
National Indigenous Peoples Day – June 21
Discovery Day – Third Monday in August (August 18, 2025)
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day

Northwest Territories

Victoria Day
National Indigenous Peoples Day – June 21
Civic Holiday – First Monday in August (August 4, 2025)
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day

Nunavut

Victoria Day
Nunavut Day – July 9, 2025
First Monday in August – August 4, 2025
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day

This covers the key statutory holidays to be aware of across Canada’s provinces and territories in 2025. Many regions observe similar days but under different names. It’s essential for employers to clarify which specific stat holidays apply based on their jurisdiction.

How Do Statutory Holidays Impact Payroll?

Employee Eligibility for Statutory Holidays in Canada — How Do Statutory Holidays Impact Payroll?

Statutory holidays have implications for payroll administration and scheduling for Canadian employers. Here are seven key effects:

Statutory holiday pay is calculated based on a percentage of the employee’s earnings in a specified period before the holiday. Different formulas apply across jurisdictions.
Eligible employees receive a paid day off work for each statutory holiday and are still paid their regular wages for that day.
Retail businesses staying open on stat holidays must pay eligible employees premium stat holiday pay on top of their regular wages.
Employers must determine employee eligibility for stat holiday pay based on factors like length of service and days worked.
When a stat holiday falls on a non-working day, the paid day off is observed on the next scheduled work day.
Adjustments are required to standard work weeks and schedules to account for statutory holidays.
Stat pay must be processed accurately on payroll alongside regular wages and overtime.

Proper statutory holiday pay administration requires understanding the relevant provincial/territorial employment standards and having a payroll system capable of handling complex pay policies.

Who is Eligible for Statutory Holiday Pay?

Not all employees are automatically entitled to statutory holidays. Eligibility is determined based on the following factors:

Length of Employment

Most provinces require employees to be employed for a certain period before qualifying for stat holiday pay:

30 calendar days in BC, AB, NL, YK
30 working days in SK
90 calendar days in NB

Days Worked

Employees must have worked a minimum number of days before the stat holiday:

15 of 30 days in BC, NS
5 of 15 days in YK
30 of 60 days in NU

Last Scheduled Shifts

Employees must work their last scheduled shift before and after the holiday. This is required in AB, MB, NB, NS, ON, PE

Did Not Refuse Work

Employees who refuse work on a stat holiday when requested may not qualify in AB, MB.

No Alternative Work Agreement

Employees with agreements to decide when to work may not qualify in NB or PE.

Approved Leave

Employees on unauthorized leave the working days before/after may not qualify in QC, YK.

All in all, employers should consult their provincial employment standards for detailed eligibility requirements. Stat pay administration is simplified when eligibility rules are coded into payroll systems.

What are the statutory holiday pay rates?

In addition to statutory holiday pay calculations, employers need to understand the premium pay rates that apply when employees work on statutory holidays.

The pay rate owed for hours worked on a statutory holiday is higher than the rate for a regular day off. The premium pay compensates employees for working on these occasions rather than having the day off.

Statutory holiday pay rates when working vary by province and territory but generally fall into three models:

Overtime rate (1.5x or 2x regular wages) plus stat holiday pay
Overtime rate (1.5x regular wages) plus regular day’s pay
Regular wage plus substitute day off with stat holiday pay

Some provinces, like BC and AB, pay an escalating overtime rate, such as 1.5x for the first 12 hours and 2x thereafter, when working on stat holidays. Others, like SK, MB, and NB, pay 1.5x regular wages for all hours worked, along with the owed stat holiday pay.

ON, QC, and YK allow paying an employee’s regular wage for hours worked, supplemented by a substitute paid day off taken later. A few provinces use hybrid approaches, giving employers options like overtime pay or granting a substitute day.

Consulting provincial employment standards will clarify the stat holiday pay rate for hours worked that applies. Proper statutory holiday administration requires employers to compensate at the correct premium rate. This ensures staff are paid properly for working on what would otherwise be paid time off.

What if a statutory holiday falls on an employee’s normal day off?

When a statutory holiday falls on a non-working day for an employee, such as a weekend or scheduled day off, the employee is entitled to take the paid holiday on their next scheduled work day.

For example, if Canada Day falls on a Sunday, employees who only work Monday to Friday would take the paid holiday on the following Monday.

This ensures employees receive their entitled statutory holiday while minimizing disruption to business operations on regular days off.

Some provinces may have exceptions if an alternate day cannot be reasonably substituted. In those cases, employers must provide the statutory holiday pay as compensation instead of a paid day off.

Summary

Canada’s statutory holiday system provides workers with 11 to 13 paid leave days per year, depending on their province or territory.

Navigating this complex system requires understanding which holidays apply where, proper pay calculation, premium pay rates, eligibility rules, and exceptions.

With preparation, employers can effectively administer statutory holiday pay alongside regular wages, overtime, and vacation pay. This enables staff to enjoy the stat holidays while minimizing the impact on payroll and scheduling.

Following the guidance from provincial authorities ensures employers meet their legal obligations. With some forward planning, statutory holidays can be a welcome break for both staff and businesses across Canada.

How many statutory holidays are there in Canada in 2025?

There are 5 nationwide statutory holidays - New Year's Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Christmas Day, and between 6-12 additional regional public holidays, depending on the province/territory. Most regions have 10-11 statutory holidays.

What are the statutory holiday pay rates in Canada?

Stat pay rates vary by region but generally pay an employee's average daily wage or regular wages. Premium pay of 1.5x or 2x applies when working on a statutory holiday.

Where can I find a calendar of statutory holidays in Canada for 2025?

The Government of Canada provides a national statutory holiday calendar. Most provincial governments also provide calendars of all stat holidays in their jurisdiction.

Why do statutory holidays vary by province in Canada?

Canada has federal statutory holidays but provinces/territories can mandate additional holidays of regional importance. This results in variation across the country.

When do employees qualify for statutory holiday pay?

Employees generally must work a minimum number of days before the stat holiday. Other eligibility factors include length of service and not refusing work.

Do all employees get statutory holidays off work?

No. Only eligible employees are entitled. Retail and other businesses can remain open but must provide premium stat pay to employees who work.

Can my employer make me work on a statutory holiday in Canada?

Yes, unless prohibited by law or your employment contract. However, proper premium pay must be provided if you work on a statutory holiday.

Is statutory holiday pay calculated on overtime?

No. Statutory holiday pay is only calculated based on regular wages. Overtime wages are excluded from statutory holiday pay calculations.

When is the next statutory holiday in Canada in 2025?

The next statutory holiday in 2025 is Family Day on February 17, 2025 for provinces that observe it. The first nationwide stat is Good Friday on April 18, 2025.

Do I get a day off if a stat holiday falls on my regular day off?

Yes. You are entitled to take the next scheduled work day as your statutory holiday if the actual holiday falls on a regular day off.

Article Sources

At Ebsource, we adhere to strict editorial principles and reference only credible sources in all our content. This allows us to produce insights readers can trust when making important benefits decisions. For complete transparency, find links to the referenced sources below.

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