Statutory holidays, also known as public holidays, provide employees across Canada with valuable paid time off to rest, relax, and celebrate occasions with loved ones. For employers and employees in Ontario, it is essential to understand statutory holidays in Canada, holiday schedule, eligibility criteria, pay calculations, and other guidelines for the upcoming year.
This guide will break down everything both employees and employers need to know about statutory holidays in Ontario for 2025, including:
- Key dates for statutory holidays in 2025
- Eligibility criteria to receive statutory holiday pay
- How statutory holiday pay is calculated
- Rules for working during statutory holidays
- What happens when an employee is terminated around a statutory holiday
- Special rules for federally regulated employees
List of Statutory Holidays in Ontario for 2025
The Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA) designates nine paid statutory holidays employers must provide staff. The following are the nine official statutory holidays recognized in Ontario for 2025:
| Statutory Holiday | 2025 Date |
| New Year’s Day | January 1, Wednesday |
| Family Day | February 17, Monday |
| Good Friday | April 18, Friday |
| Victoria Day | May 19, Monday |
| Canada Day | July 1, Tuesday |
| Labour Day | September 1, Monday |
| Thanksgiving | October 13, Monday |
| Christmas Day | December 25, Thursday |
| Boxing Day | December 26, Friday |
Notable is that Ontario is the only Canadian province to recognize Boxing Day as a paid statutory holiday. Most other provinces do not mandate this extra day off.
In addition to these statutory holidays, some employers may provide time off for other important dates, including:
- Easter Monday – Monday, April 21, 2025
- Civic Holiday – Monday, August 4, 2025
- Remembrance Day – Tuesday, November 11, 2025
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Tuesday, September 30, 2025
However, the ESA does not require employers to observe Easter Monday, Civic Holiday, Remembrance Day, or the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. These are considered “optional holidays,” and employers can choose to provide time off at their discretion.
Employee Eligibility for Statutory Holiday Pay in Ontario
In Ontario, the vast majority of employees are entitled to take statutory holidays off and receive holiday pay. However, eligibility depends on meeting specific criteria:
The “Last and First” Rule
To receive statutory holiday pay, employees must work their entire last regularly scheduled shift immediately before the holiday and their first regular shift immediately after, unless they have reasonable cause for missing work.
For example, an employee would still be eligible if they missed their shift right before the holiday for a pre-approved day off. But they would be ineligible if they missed this shift without the employer’s permission, without proper justification.
Regular Pay from the Employer
The employee must have earned regular wages from the employer for work performed in the 4-week period before the statutory holiday. They must have a regular work schedule and pay cycle with this employer.
Who Typically Qualifies?
Provided they meet the last and first shift rule, these employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay:
- Full-time employees
- Part-time employees
- Permanent employees
- Contract employees
Exceptions
There are some exceptions where employees may not qualify for statutory holiday pay even if they meet the last and first shift rules, including:
- Employees who work in specific industries like construction, landscape gardening, or retail.
- Employees are regulated under federal legislation rather than the provincial ESA. For example, those who work in banking, transportation, or telecommunications.
These employees may have different entitlements and should verify directly with their employer.
How Statutory Holiday Pay is Calculated in Ontario
When an eligible employee takes a statutory holiday off, how is their holiday pay calculated? Ontario uses a simple formula:
Statutory Holiday Pay = (Total Regular Wages in Previous 4 Weeks ÷ 20)
Let’s break this down further:
Step 1: Determine the employee’s total regular wages earned in the 4 weeks preceding the statutory holiday.
For example: Employee earned $2,000 in regular wages in the 4 weeks before the holiday
Step 2: Divide this amount by 20
Continuing the example: $2,000 total regular wages / 20 days = $100
Step 3: The result equals the employee’s statutory holiday pay
Therefore: Statutory holiday pay = $100
This formula also accounts for part-time and newly hired employees. Their holiday pay is prorated based on what they earned in the previous four weeks.
Read more: Minimum Wage in Ontario
Working on Statutory Holidays in Ontario
An employee may sometimes agree to work on a statutory holiday if the employer requires them. There are two options for compensation:
Option 1: Premium Pay
The employee receives premium pay, which is 1.5 times their regular hourly wage, for all hours worked on the statutory holiday.
In addition, statutory holiday pay must be provided for the day off.
Option 2: Substitute Day Off
Instead of receiving premium stat pay, employees in Ontario can choose to receive:
- Regular wages for hours worked on the stat holiday
- A substitute paid day off (taken within 3 months)
The employer must provide the employee written notice before the holiday outlining the substitute day.
This gives the employees in Ontario another day to enjoy and celebrate the occasion of that statutory holiday.
Termination Around a Statutory Holiday in Ontario
Employees are still entitled to statutory holiday pay even if they are terminated shortly before or after the holiday.
For example, if an employee was terminated on December 20th, and Christmas Day fell on December 25th that year, the employer would still need to pay out the employee’s Christmas Day statutory holiday pay.
Failing to provide statutory holiday pay upon termination violates Ontario’s ESA, and employees can seek assistance from an employment lawyer to review such cases.
Key Takeaways for Employers in Ontario
When managing statutory holidays in Ontario, employers should focus on:
- Understanding the 9 statutory holidays mandated under the ESA
- Developing a comprehensive written policy on eligibility, pay, entitlements
- Using HR/payroll tools to simplify statutory holiday pay administration
- Ensuring all employees understand eligibility requirements and entitlements
Key Takeaways for Employees in Ontario
Employees in Ontario should clearly understand:
- Their entitlement to take statutory holidays off with public holiday pay
- Premium pay or substitute day options for working on holidays
- Eligibility depends on meeting the “first and last” rule
- How statutory holiday pay is calculated
- Their specific statutory holiday entitlements
Statutory holidays provide employees important paid time off for rest, leisure, and celebrating occasions. Employers must comply with all requirements around eligibility, pay, premiums, and substitute days.
While we have covered surrounding statutory holidays in Ontario, 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 Nunavut
- Statutory Holidays in Nova Scotia
- Statutory Holidays in New Brunswick
- Statutory Holidays in Manitoba
FAQs related to Statutory Holidays in Ontario in 2025
Is Boxing Day a statutory holiday in Ontario in 2025?
Yes, Boxing Day on December 26, 2025 is a statutory holiday in Ontario. Ontario is the only province in Canada that observes Boxing Day as a statutory holiday.
How do you calculate statutory holiday pay in Ontario?
Statutory holiday pay is calculated by totaling the regular wages earned and vacation pay payable in the 4 work weeks before the holiday, then dividing that total by 20.
What is premium pay for working on a statutory holiday in Ontario?
Premium pay for working on a statutory holiday is when employees receive 1.5 times their regular hourly wage or salary for any hours worked on the statutory holiday.
Can an employee take a substitute day off instead of premium stat pay in Ontario?
Yes, employees can opt to take a substitute day off with public holiday pay instead of receiving premium pay for working on the statutory holiday.
What is the eligibility rule for statutory holiday pay in Ontario?
Employees must work their full scheduled shifts before and after the holiday to be eligible, known as the "first and last" rule. There can be no unauthorized absences on the days before and after the stat.
Are part-time employees eligible for stat holiday pay in Ontario?
Yes, part-time employees are eligible for statutory holiday pay if they meet the "first and last" rule and work their full stat holiday shift when required.
Can probationary employees qualify for stat holiday pay?
Yes, probationary employees are entitled to statutory holiday pay in Ontario if they meet the eligibility requirements. Their length of service does not impact eligibility.