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, are paid days off work mandated by law in Canada. These stat holidays are not counted as part of an employee’s annual vacation days but represent additional paid leave.
Statutory holidays provide workers with paid time off to rest and celebrate national, cultural, or religious occasions. For businesses, statutory holidays impact payroll processing and scheduling.
Canada has a decentralized system. The federal government sets 5 nationwide statutory holidays, and 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 and additional regional public holidays mandated by individual provinces and territories.
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 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.
| Province/Territory | Holidays |
|---|---|
| British Columbia Stat Holidays | Family Day – Third Monday in February Victoria Day – Last Monday before May 25 British Columbia Day – First Monday in August Thanksgiving Day – Second Monday in October Remembrance Day |
| Alberta Stat Holidays | Family Day Victoria Day Thanksgiving Day Remembrance Day Optional: Easter Monday, Heritage Day, Boxing Day |
| Saskatchewan Stat Holidays | Family Day Victoria Day Saskatchewan Day – First Monday in August Thanksgiving Day Remembrance Day |
| Manitoba Stat Holidays | Louis Riel Day – Third Monday in February Victoria Day Thanksgiving Day |
| Ontario Stat Holidays | Family Day Victoria Day Thanksgiving Day Boxing Day |
| Quebec Stat Holidays | Easter Monday – Monday after Easter Sunday National Patriots’ Day – Monday before May 25 St. Jean Baptiste Day – June 24 Thanksgiving Day Note: Employers can choose to observe either Good Friday or Easter Monday |
| New Brunswick Stat Holidays | Family Day Victoria Day New Brunswick Day – First Monday in August Thanksgiving Day Remembrance Day Boxing Day |
| Nova Scotia Stat Holidays | Heritage Day – Third Monday in February Thanksgiving Day Remembrance Day |
| Prince Edward Island Stat Holidays | Islander Day – Third Monday in February Remembrance Day |
| Newfoundland and Labrador Stat Holidays | St. Patrick’s Day – March 17 St. George’s Day – Monday nearest to April 23 Discovery Day – Nearest Monday to June 24 Regatta Day – First Wednesday in August Remembrance Day Note: Newfoundland and Labrador observe Memorial Day on July 1 instead of Canada Day |
| Yukon Stat Holidays | Heritage Day – Third Monday in February Victoria Day National Indigenous Peoples Day – June 21 Discovery Day – Third Monday in August Thanksgiving Day Remembrance Day |
| Northwest Territories Stat Holidays | Victoria Day National Indigenous Peoples Day – June 21 Civic Holiday – First Monday in August Thanksgiving Day Remembrance Day |
| Nunavut Stat Holidays | Victoria Day Nunavut Day First Monday in August 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?
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 in addition to 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:
Minimum Legal Working Age
To be eligible for statutory holiday pay, a person must be old enough to work legally in their province or territory.
In Canada, the minimum legal working age is usually between 14 and 16 years old, depending on the province or territory and the type of work.
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?
Employers need to understand the premium pay rates that apply when employees work on statutory holidays and the calculations for statutory holiday pay.
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.
Source: statutoryholidays.com
What if a statutory holiday falls on an employee’s normal day off?
When a statutory holiday falls on an employee’s non-working day, 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 work only Monday through 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.
The Bottom Line
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.
FAQs Related to Statutory Holidays in Canada for 2025
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.
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
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