As Canada’s largest and newest territory, Nunavut has a unique mix of statutory holidays in Canada, eligibility rules, pay calculations, and additional leaves for employees.
With a population of over 33,000 people, Nunavut is the least populated territory in Canada. However, it spans a massive 1,836,993 square kilometres. Nunavut’s unique geography and demographics shape its employment standards and statutory holiday policies.
Both employers and employees benefit from fully understanding the eligibility rules, pay calculations, and additional leaves surrounding statutory holidays in the territory. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about statutory holidays in Nunavut for 2025.
The Official List of Statutory Holidays in Nunavut for 2025
Nunavut has 11 statutory holidays providing workers with paid time off in 2025:
| Nunavut Holidays | 2024 Date | 2025 Date | 2026 Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Monday, January 1 | Wednesday, January 1 | Thursday, January 1 |
| Good Friday | Friday, March 29 | Friday, April 18 | Friday, April 3 |
| Victoria Day | Monday, May 20 | Monday, May 19 | Monday, May 18 |
| Canada Day | Monday, July 1 | Tuesday, July 1 | Wednesday, July 1 |
| Nunavut Day | Tuesday, July 9 | Wednesday, July 9 | Thursday, July 9 |
| Civic Holiday | Monday, August 5 | Monday, August 4 | Monday, August 3 |
| Labour Day | Monday, September 2 | Monday, September 1 | Monday, September 7 |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (optional) | Monday, September 30 | Tuesday, September 30 | Wednesday, September 30 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Monday, October 14 | Monday, October 13 | Monday, October 12 |
| Remembrance Day | Monday, November 11 | Tuesday, November 11 | Wednesday, November 11 |
| Christmas Day | Wednesday, December 25 | Thursday, December 25 | Friday, December 25 |
The Nunavut Day on July 9 is especially culturally significant. It celebrates Nunavut creation as a territory, which will be explored more in the next section.
On these holidays, non-essential Nunavut government services close, as do banks and some private businesses, particularly on the five nationwide holidays: New Year’s, Canada Day, Labour Day, Christmas, and Boxing Day.
Many employers also extend the Civic Holiday in August and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in September to their workers. Employees who qualify can take these holidays off with regular pay.
In addition, the Commissioner of Nunavut has the authority to declare additional holidays as needed. For example, special holidays may be declared for events like royal births, deaths, or jubilees.
When a statutory holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is usually designated as the holiday. Most statutory holidays are celebrated nationwide, but Nunavut Day on July 10th is unique to the territory.
Source: Public Service Holidays – Government of Nunavut
How Did Nunavut Day Become a Statutory Holiday?
To understand the importance of Nunavut Day, it is helpful to first review some key milestones in the establishment of Nunavut:
- In the 1950s, Inuit groups first proposed separating the Northwest Territories into two jurisdictions.
- Negotiations picked up speed in the 1970s, leading to a 1982 plebiscite in which a majority voted yes to division.
- In May 1993, the Inuit and the Government of Canada signed the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
- The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act received Royal Assent on July 9, 1993, and it served as the legal foundation for forming Nunavut.
- Additional negotiations led to the passage of the Nunavut Act in 1993, which officially carved out the territorial boundaries.
- Finally, on April 1, 1999, the Northwest Territories was divided, and Nunavut was established as a separate territory.
With this context, let’s look specifically at how Nunavut Day came to be a statutory holiday:
- For many years after 1993, July 9 was celebrated informally across Nunavut to mark the important milestone of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act.
- However, it was only considered an official statutory holiday for the Government of Nunavut employees.
- Starting in the 2010s, there was growing public support for making July 9 a statutory holiday for all Nunavut workers, not just public-sector employees.
- In October 2019, the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut unanimously passed Bill 29, the Act to amend the Labour Standards Act to officially add Nunavut Day.
- The amended Labour Standards Act received Assent on November 29, 2019, enshrining July 9 as a paid territorial statutory holiday.
- The first full Nunavut Day statutory holiday was observed on July 9, 2020.
In summary, through legislation passed in 2019, Nunavut Day finally became a statutory holiday in recognition of the landmark 1993 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act that paved the way for Nunavut’s creation in 1999.
Source: Nunavut Day – Wikipedia
Employee Eligibility for Statutory Holiday Pay in Nunavut
To qualify for statutory holiday pay in Nunavut, employees must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Completed 30 calendar days of employment with the same employer in the 12 months preceding the holiday. This does not have to be consecutive.
- Maintained regular shifts or hours before and after the statutory holiday. There cannot be an extended gap or leave.
- Reported to work on the holiday when scheduled or called in by the employer. Refusing shifts on the holiday can disqualify.
- Not taken pregnancy, parental, compassionate care, or court leaves exceeding 10 work days in the 12 weeks before the holiday. Short leaves under 10 days are permitted.
These eligibility rules are outlined in Nunavut’s Employment Standards Act. Employees who do not meet all the criteria are not entitled to statutory holiday pay.
Pay for Working Statutory Holidays in Nunavut
Eligible employees in Nunavut who work on a statutory holiday are entitled to premium statutory holiday pay.
By law, employees must receive either:
- 1.5 times their regular wages for all hours worked on the statutory holiday.
- Their average daily wages are based on the previous 4 weeks of variable or fixed daily wages.
Or:
- Their regular wages for all hours worked on the statutory holiday
- Plus, a substitute day off with pay within the next 6 months. This substitute day cannot be worked.
For example, an employee who earns $160 a day and works 6 hours on the statutory holiday would receive:
- 1.5 x $160 x 6 hours = $1,440
- Plus, their average daily wage of $160
- Totalling $1,600 statutory holiday pay
Alternatively, they could take $160 regular wages for the 6 hours worked, plus a substitute day off with $160 pay.
Employers can choose which statutory holiday pay structure best fits their operational needs. However, employees cannot be forced to work on their substitute days off.
Pay for Taking Statutory Holidays Off in Nunavut
Eligible employees who do not work on the statutory holiday receive their regular daily wages as statutory holiday pay. If the employee’s wages vary, regular daily wages are calculated as the average over the 4 weeks immediately preceding the statutory holiday.
For example, an employee with varying weekly wages as below would receive $230 regular daily wage pay for taking the statutory holiday off:
- Week 1 – $1200
- Week 2 – $1000
- Week 3 – $1100
- Week 4 – $1300
- Total Wages = $4600
- Divided by 4 Weeks = $1150 Average Weekly Wages
- Divided by 5 Working Days = $230 Average Daily Wages
Employees who meet the eligibility criteria and take the day off receive this average daily wage as statutory holiday pay.
What happens if a statutory holiday falls on a non-working day?
When a statutory holiday falls on an employee’s regular day off, the next working day becomes the statutory holiday.
For example, if Canada Day falls on a Saturday and the employee usually has Saturdays off, then Monday would become their statutory holiday.
In this case, statutory holiday pay depends on whether the employee’s wages are fixed or variable:
- Fixed weekly wages: Employees receive their regular daily wage as statutory holiday pay.
- Variable weekly wages: The employee receives their average daily wage over the prior 4 weeks as statutory holiday pay.
Accounting correctly for statutory holidays that overlap non-working days ensures employees receive fair holiday pay.
Additional Unpaid Job-Protected Leaves in Nunavut
In addition to statutory holidays, Nunavut employees are entitled to other unpaid job-protected leaves for reasons such as:
- Personal Leave: Up to 5 days of unpaid leave per year after 6 months of employment.
- Compassionate Care Leave: Up to 8 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a gravely ill immediate family member.
- Domestic Violence Leave: Up to 10 days off per year to address domestic violence situations.
- Family Responsibility Leave: 3 unpaid days per year to attend to family health matters.
- Bereavement Leave: Up to 3 unpaid days off due to the death of an immediate family member.
- Birth Leave: 1 unpaid day off to attend the birth of one’s child.
- Marriage Leave: 3 unpaid days off for an employee’s wedding.
- Court Leave: Unpaid leave to attend jury selection and jury duty, with wage compensation provided by the court.
- Reservists’ Leave: Unpaid time off for Canadian Forces reservist duty.
- Pregnancy or Parental Leave: Employees on pregnancy/parental leave are ineligible for statutory holiday pay.
Short 1-10 day leaves for illness, family matters, or public service do not impact eligibility. However, extensive pregnancy/parental leaves do disqualify employees.
Evolving Trends and Changes of Statutory Holidays in Nunavut
Statutory holidays and employment standards in Nunavut continue to evolve. Here are some trends and potential upcoming changes to monitor:
- Indigenous Peoples Day: Discussions around adding this holiday to recognize Indigenous history.
- Remote Work Arrangements: The increase in remote work due to COVID-19 may complicate administering substitute days off, and policy adjustments may be needed.
- Jurisdictional Review: Nunavut reviews the statutory holidays, leaves, vacation allotments, pay calculations, etc., of other provinces and territories to identify potential areas for improvement.
- Changing Demographics: Nunavut has a very young population. As the workforce grows and diversifies, statutory holidays may need to be reassessed.
- Labour Shortages: With tighter labour market conditions, time off benefits are key to employee retention and recruitment.
Why Are Statutory Holidays Important in Nunavut?
Statutory holidays hold significant cultural, economic and social importance in Nunavut for seven key reasons:
Recognizing Culture, Heritage and Self-Governance
Holidays like Nunavut Day and National Indigenous Peoples Day help recognize and honour Nunavut’s Inuit cultural identity, heritage and hard-won self-governance.
They commemorate milestones in Nunavut’s history as a territory and in Inuit negotiations for their own land and self-determination.
Strengthening Cultural Traditions and Generational Bonds
Statutory holidays provide dedicated time for community members to participate in traditional activities like ice fishing, drum dancing, games, and preparation of country foods, allowing these customs to be passed on.
During the holidays, elders share their skills, experiences, and stories with youth, strengthening generational and familial ties.
Building Community Cohesion and Local Pride
Locally focused statutory holidays like Nunavut Day give residents a shared opportunity to celebrate their community, culture and territorial identity.
Participating in parades, fairs, and festivals during the holidays brings people together and fosters territorial pride.
Supporting Tourism and Economic Development
Statutory holiday events, celebrations and festivals boost tourism, bringing in visitor spending. Tourists experience Inuit culture and art.
Arts, crafts and foods produced for holiday sales and events provide income for local creators and vendors.
Providing Work-Life Balance for Employees
Days off on statutory holidays let workers rest, focus on family, practice traditional activities, connect spiritually, and pursue personal hobbies and interests.
Strengthening Canadian Identity
Federal statutory holidays like Canada Day help Nunavummiut celebrate their dual identities as both Inuit and Canadian citizens.
Upholding Labour Standards
Requiring paid statutory holiday leave upholds strong labour standards in Nunavut’s employment legislation.
In summary, statutory holidays directly support cultural preservation, community cohesion, employee wellness, tourism spending, and labour rights in Nunavut. They are an integral part of territorial life.
While we have covered surrounding statutory holidays in Nunavut, 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 New Brunswick
- Statutory Holidays in Manitoba
- Statutory Holidays in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Statutory Holidays in Nova Scotia
- Statutory Holidays in Quebec
Key Takeaways on Stat Holidays Nunavut
Below are six key highlights to remember about statutory holidays in Nunavut:
- There are 11 statutory holidays in 2025 that provide paid days off to commemorate important cultural and historical events.
- Nunavut Day became an official paid statutory holiday in 2020 after many years of celebrations on July 9.
- Employees must meet eligibility criteria based on length of employment and recent earnings to qualify for statutory holiday pay.
- Inuit cultural events, family gatherings, time off work and community festivals mark most statutory holidays.
- Locally focused statutory holidays like Nunavut Day promote cultural learning, community pride and togetherness.
- Statutory holidays support tourism, cultural preservation, employee wellness and labour rights across Nunavut.
FAQs related to Statutory Holidays in Nunavut
Does Nunavut have the most statutory holidays in Canada?
No, Nunavut does not have the most statutory holidays nationally. Several other provinces and territories observe 12-13 paid statutory holidays each year, the same as Nunavut. What makes Nunavut unique is its focus on holidays of local significance, like Nunavut Day.
Are all Nunavut employees eligible for statutory holidays?
No. To receive a paid day off for a statutory holiday, Nunavut employees must meet eligibility criteria based on length of employment and recent earnings with the same employer. Workers in specific industries like banking and airlines regulated federally must follow federal rules and are not covered by Nunavut's statutory holidays.
Do federal employees in Nunavut get Nunavut Day off?
No. While territorial public servants observe Nunavut Day as a paid holiday, the Government of Canada determines statutory holidays for federally regulated employees. Nunavut Day is not currently one of the nationwide statutory holidays in the Canada Labour Code that covers federal workers across the country, including in Nunavut.
Can employers make employees work on a statutory holiday in Nunavut?
Yes. While most non-essential services close on statutory holidays, employers can require employees to work if they need to maintain minimum service levels. However, eligible employees must receive premium pay of 1.5 times their regular wages for statutory holiday hours worked. Alternatively, employers can substitute another paid day off.
How do statutory holidays affect the workweek in Nunavut?
By law, statutory holidays cannot be considered vacation leave. Eligible employees receive a day off work with regular pay, without reducing their paid vacation. When a statutory holiday occurs during an employee's workweek, employers typically reduce the normal hours of work by 8 hours for the week. For example, a Monday-Friday workweek would become 32 hours if Monday was a statutory holiday.
How do public services operate in Nunavut on statutory holidays?
Most non-critical government services close on statutory holidays, including schools, libraries, permits offices, parks, and non-emergency municipal offices. Public transit services may operate on reduced schedules. Emergency services like police, fire, hospitals, and power/water utilities remain available but with minimal staffing.
Do all communities in Nunavut celebrate statutory holidays the same way?
No, celebrations vary across Nunavut's different municipalities and regions. While most communities organize public events and family activities, the specific types of festivals, fairs, or cultural observances differ locally based on traditions, demographic makeup, and available resources. Statutory holidays take on their own local flavours.
