Understanding statutory holiday compensation in Manitoba can be tricky for employers and employees. With changing eligibility rules, variable pay calculation formulas, premium pay requirements, and shifting observance dates, it’s essential to fully grasp public holiday standards in the province.
This extensive guide examines everything you need to know about statutory holidays in Manitoba for 2025.
Overview of Statutory Holidays in Manitoba
Manitoba has nine paid statutory holidays in Canada each calendar year that most employees are entitled to take off work and receive holiday pay for:
- New Year’s Day
- Louis Riel Day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
While other provinces observe a February holiday called Family Day, Manitoba marks the same day as Louis Riel Day.
Easter Sunday, Terry Fox Day, Remembrance Day and Boxing Day are not considered paid public holidays in Manitoba.
Complete List of 2025 Statutory Holidays in Manitoba
Here is a helpful calendar showing the 2025 statutory holidays in Manitoba:
| Holiday | 2025 Date |
| New Year’s Day | Wednesday, January 1st |
| Louis Riel Day | Monday, February 17th |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 18th |
| Victoria Day | Monday, May 19th |
| Canada Day | Tuesday, July 1st |
| Labour Day | Monday, September 1st |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | Tuesday, September 30th |
| Thanksgiving Day | Monday, October 13th |
| Christmas Day | Thursday, December 25th |
Having a clear workplace policy that provides the exact statutory holiday dates for the year is helpful for both employers and staff.
Who is eligible for statutory holiday pay in Manitoba?
To qualify for statutory holiday pay in Manitoba, employees need to follow the “first and last” rule:
- They must work their last regularly scheduled shift right before the holiday.
- They must work their first regularly scheduled shift right after the holiday.
For example, if the stat holiday falls on a Monday, employees must work their regular shifts on the Friday before and Tuesday after (unless absence approved) to receive the paid day off.
There is no minimum length of service requirement in Manitoba—even newly hired employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay.
The only exceptions are election officials or enumerators appointed under the Elections Act. They are not eligible for statutory holiday pay.
Employees absent without permission on the workday before or after the holiday are also ineligible.
Here is a summary of statutory holiday eligibility requirements in Manitoba:
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Last Scheduled Shift Before Holiday | Must work entire shift unless absence approved |
| First Scheduled Shift After Holiday | Must work entire shift unless absence approved |
| Minimum Length of Service | None – immediate eligibility |
| Exceptions | Election officials/enumerators not eligible |
Ensuring managers understand eligibility rules is critical to properly administering statutory holiday compensation.
How to Calculate Pay for Statutory Holidays in Manitoba?
The statutory holiday pay an employee is entitled to depend on whether they work regular, consistent hours or variable hours:
Consistent Hours
- Employees get their regular daily wages as statutory holiday pay
- For example, an employee who works 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week will receive 8 hours worth of regular pay
Variable Hours
- Holiday pay is 5% of the employee’s gross wages in the 4 weeks before the holiday
- For example, if an employee earned $1,200 in the previous 4 weeks, they would receive $60 statutory holiday pay. Calculation: $1,200 x 5% = $60
Construction Industry
- Construction employees receive 4% of gross wages as statutory holiday pay.
- This is often paid out on each paycheck instead of the holiday itself.
Understanding the different statutory holiday pay calculation formulas is key for payroll compliance. Here is a summary:
| Employee Type | Statutory Holiday Pay Calculation |
| Regular weekly hours | Average daily wage |
| Variable hours | 5% of gross earnings in prior 4 weeks |
| Construction Industry | 4% of gross wages as statutory holiday pay |
Pay for Working on Statutory Holidays in Manitoba
Employees who work on a statutory holiday are entitled to premium pay of 1.5 times their regular wages for all hours worked, in addition to the regular statutory holiday pay.
For example:
- Steve earns $20/hour and works 8 hours during the holiday.
- His stat holiday pay is 8 hours at $20/hour = $160
- He also gets 1.5x his wage for working the holiday:
- 8 hours worked
- 1.5 x $20/hour premium wage rate
- = $240 premium pay
- In total, Steve receives $400 for the statutory holiday.
Certain employers can substitute another day off with statutory pay instead of paying premium wages for working on the holiday:
- Hotels, restaurants, hospitals, gas stations
- Places of amusement
- Continuous operation businesses
- Climate-controlled agricultural businesses
- Seasonal industries (excluding construction)
The substitute day off must be provided within 30 days of the holiday or can be added to annual vacation time if agreed upon.
All other employers must pay statutory holiday premium wages at 1.5 times regular rates.
Here are the rules for public holiday premium pay in Manitoba:
| Working on Holiday | Compensation Required |
| Most employers | 1.5 x regular wage for all hours worked + regular stat pay |
| Employers in specified industries | Can substitute different days off with stat pay instead of 1.5x premium |
Read more: Minimum Wage in Manitoba
Statutory Holiday Pay for Irregular Work Schedules
Some employees in Manitoba may work irregular shifts that do not have a consistent “first scheduled shift” before and after the holiday.
For these employees, as long as they have worked some hours in the previous 30 calendar days before the statutory holiday, they qualify for holiday pay. Their statutory holiday pay is still calculated as 5% of gross pay in the 4 weeks prior.
Here are the eligibility rules for irregular shift schedules:
- Worked some hours in 30 days before the holiday
- Stat pay = 5% of gross pay in 4 weeks before
Other Special Statutory Holiday Considerations in Manitoba
Manitoba has special rules for certain holidays, like Remembrance Day, weekend holidays, and Canada Day, that affect pay and how they’re observed.
Remembrance Day
While Remembrance Day (November 11th) is not a statutory holiday in Manitoba, there are special rules regarding pay. Retail businesses must be closed between 9 am and 1 pm on Remembrance Day.
Employees who work on Remembrance Day must receive:
- At least half a regular workday’s wages at 1.5 times their regular wage
- If working more than half their normal hours, they receive full statutory holiday premium pay
Weekend Holidays
When a statutory holiday falls on a weekend, it is observed the following Monday. This ensures that employees still get the benefit of a day off, even if the holiday falls on a weekend.
Canada Day
However, Canada Day (July 1st) is observed on the following Tuesday if it falls on a Sunday to keep the observance close to the actual holiday date.
Key Takeaways for Manitoba Employers
Managing statutory holidays properly is crucial for Manitoba employers. Here are some essential tips:
- Provide employees with a calendar of exact holiday dates for the year
- Understand “first and last shift” eligibility rules
- Follow proper statutory holiday pay calculation formulas
- Pay 1.5x premium wages for staff working holidays
- Be aware of substitute day off options for specific industries
- Ensure proper compensation for Remembrance Day requirements
- Accommodate irregular shift schedules
While we have covered surrounding statutory holidays in Manitoba, each Canadian province and territory has its own set of public holiday legislation. Some key provincial statutory holiday references:
- Statutory Holidays in Northwest Territories
- Statutory Holidays in Yukon
- Statutory Holidays in Prince Edward Island
- Statutory Holidays in Nunavut
- Statutory Holidays in Nova Scotia
- Statutory Holidays in New Brunswick
- Statutory Holidays in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Statutory Holidays in Prince Edward Island
- Statutory Holidays in Quebec
FAQs Related to Statutory Holidays in Manitoba
Is Family Day a statutory holiday in Manitoba?
No, Manitoba does not recognize Family Day as a statutory holiday. Instead, the same day in February is celebrated as Louis Riel Day in the province.
When do employees qualify for statutory holiday pay in Manitoba?
To receive statutory holiday pay in Manitoba, employees must work their last scheduled shift before the holiday and their first scheduled shift after, unless absence is approved. There are no minimum service requirements.
How is statutory holiday pay calculated in Manitoba?
For regular hours, it's the average daily wage. For variable hours, it's 5% of gross pay in the prior 4 weeks.
Can employers substitute another day off instead of paying stat holiday premium pay?
Yes, employers in specified industries like hospitality and agriculture can substitute another day off with stat pay instead of 1.5x premium pay for working on the holiday.
Do employees who work irregular shifts qualify for stat pay?
Yes, as long as they worked some hours in the 30 days prior to the holiday. Their stat pay is calculated as 5% of gross pay in previous 4 weeks.
When do weekend statutory holidays get observed in Manitoba?
Weekend stat holidays are observed on the following Monday, except Canada Day when it falls on a Sunday is observed on the following Tuesday.
What are the statutory holiday pay eligibility rules in Manitoba?
Employees must work their last scheduled shift before the holiday and first scheduled shift after, unless absence is approved by the employer. There are no minimum service requirements.