Statutory holidays in Quebec provide employees with significant opportunities to rest, celebrate, and spend time with loved ones. For employers, statutory holidays impact payroll, scheduling, and operations.
As a resident in Quebec, knowing the statutory holidays in Canada for the year can help you plan vacations and long weekends effectively. This guide covers everything you need to know about statutory holidays in Quebec in 2026. Read on for a detailed overview of Quebec’s holiday laws, compliance, and best practices.
What are the statutory holidays in Quebec for 2026
Here are the complete dates for statutory holidays in Quebec for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026:
| QC’s Holiday | 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/National Patriots’ Day | Monday, May 20 | Monday, May 19 | Monday, May 18 |
| Fête nationale du Québec | Monday, June 24 | Tuesday, June 24 | Wednesday, June 24 |
| Canada Day | Monday, July 1 | Tuesday, July 1 | Wednesday, July 1 |
| Labour Day | Monday, September 2 | Monday, September 1 | Monday, September 7 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Monday, October 14 | Monday, October 13 | Monday, October 12 |
| Christmas Day | Wednesday, December 25 | Thursday, December 25 | Friday, December 25 |
Please note that employers may choose either Good Friday or Easter Monday as the statutory holiday in Quebec.
How Do Quebec Statutory Holidays Differ From Public Holidays in Canada?
While often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between Quebec and national statutory holidays:
- Quebec’s provincial legislation mandates statutory holidays. Employers are legally required to provide paid time off or statutory holiday pay.
- Canadian public holidays are designated at a federal level by the Government of Canada and apply across the entire country.
Quebec observes all eight nationwide public holidays. Unlike some provinces, the province has not adopted the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30), Remembrance Day (November 11), or Boxing Day (December 26) as statutory holidays. Most employers remain open on these days.
What are the Eligibility Requirements for Statutory Holiday Pay in Quebec?
Under the Act Respecting Labour Standards, the vast majority of Quebec employees are eligible for general statutory holidays. This includes full-time, part-time, permanent, and contract employees.
To qualify for a given statutory holiday, employees must work the scheduled shift before and after the holiday. In case they are absent without an appropriate reason, they will not be entitled to holiday pay.
There are specific categories of employees exempt from statutory holiday eligibility rules, including:
- People who work in jobs regulated by the federal government (like banks, airlines, or telecom).
- Some farm or aquaculture workers depend on the type of work and their living situation.
- Caregivers who work in private homes, if the work is not run as a business.
- Certain students who are doing school programs in non-profits or schools.
That said, it is the employer’s responsibility to verify eligibility for each employee per the Act.
Source: Labour Standards In Québec
How is Statutory Holiday Pay Calculated in Quebec?
Quebec has specific statutory pay calculation rules that must be followed to calculate holiday pay correctly:
- Hourly or Salaried Employees: Entitled to statutory holiday pay equal to 1/20 of the wages earned in the four complete weeks before the holiday, not including overtime.
- Commissioned Employees: Receive 1/60th of total wages (including commissions) earned in the 12 previous weeks, not including overtime.
- Employees working on the Holiday must be paid for regular wages for hours worked on that day. In addition, receive either the statutory holiday pay calculated above, or a paid substitute day off taken within three weeks before or after the holiday.
Key things to note:
- Employers cannot swap statutory holidays for alternate dates.
- Statutory pay must be provided, even if the holiday falls on a non-working day, like the weekend.
- Salaried employees receive regular salaries even if they do not work on the statutory holiday.
These standardized statutory holiday pay practices aim to ensure all employees receive fair compensation for their paid time off on these important cultural dates.
What Happens When You Work on a Statutory Holiday in Quebec?
In Quebec, when an employee is required to work on a statutory holiday, they are entitled to specific compensation. The employer has a choice in how to reimburse the employee for that day.
First, to be eligible for statutory holiday pay, an employee must not have been absent from work without the employer’s permission or a valid reason on the working day before or after the holiday.
If you are required to work on a statutory holiday, here is what you are entitled to:
- Your Regular Pay for Hours Worked: You will be paid at your normal wage for all the hours you work on that day.
- Additional Compensation (Employer’s Choice): In addition to your wages for the day, your employer must provide one of the following:
- An Indemnity Payment: This is a cash payment equivalent to a regular day’s pay.
- A Compensatory Paid Day Off: Your employer can grant you a paid day off to be taken at another time. Generally, this substitute holiday must be taken within the three weeks before or after the statutory holiday.
The purpose of these rules is to ensure employees receive proper compensation whether or not they work on the statutory holiday.
How to Maximize Quebec Statutory Holidays for Long Weekends and Vacations
With some strategic planning, you can maximize statutory holidays in Quebec to provide you with cherished long weekends and mini-vacations throughout the year. Here are five tips:
Tip #1: Take Fridays Off Before Long Weekends
Scheduling days off on the Fridays preceding statutory holidays allows you to extend long weekends. Some ideal opportunities in 2026 include:
- Thursday, April 2 off + Good Friday, April 3 + Easter Monday, April 6
- Friday, May 15 off + National Patriots’ Day, Monday, May 18
- Friday, September 4 off + Labour Day, Monday, September 7
Tip #2: Bookend Your Vacation with Statutory Holidays
The Christmas and New Year’s holidays provide the perfect bookends for a winter vacation. In 2026, Christmas falls on a Friday and New Year’s Day 2027 is also a Friday. This creates a perfect opportunity: you could take the four workdays off between them (December 28, 29, 30, and 31) to create an extended 10-day holiday break using only 4 vacation days.
Tip #3: Plan Summer Vacations Around the Construction Holiday
Quebec’s 2 weeks of July are a popular vacation period, as many sights and attractions will be less crowded once construction halts.
Tip #4: Take Advantage of Holiday Mondays
The Easter Monday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, and National Patriots’ Day statutory holidays all fall on Mondays in 2026. This makes them convenient three-day weekends requiring only one vacation day.
Tip #5: Explore Quebec City During the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Long Weekend
Quebec City celebrates Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day in grand style. If you want festive parades, shows, and crowds, schedule your visit during this patriotic summer holiday.
No matter when you plan to take time off, refer back to the complete 2026 statutory holiday schedule to optimize your vacation strategy.
While we have covered surrounding statutory holidays in Quebec, each Canadian province and territory has its own set of public holiday legislation. Key provincial statutory holiday references:
- Statutory Holidays in Ontario
- Statutory Holidays in Nunavut
- Statutory Holidays in Nova Scotia
- Statutory Holidays in New Brunswick
- Statutory Holidays in Manitoba
- Statutory Holidays in Alberta
- Statutory Holidays in British Columbia
Key Takeaways for Statutory Holidays in Quebec
The major takeaways on statutory holiday compliance and management in Quebec include:
- Eight statutory holidays in 2026
- Most employees qualify for time off with pay
- Pay depends on whether the employee works or not
- Substitute days are allowed under certain conditions
- Premium pay is required for a working holiday
- Many operational impacts beyond just payroll
- Proper planning, policies, and communication are key
Employers must comply with all requirements while also strategically using holidays to promote work-life balance and employee morale. With preparation and leadership, holidays can be a win-win for employers and staff.
FAQs related to Statutory Holidays in Quebec
What if an employee has to work on a statutory holiday in Quebec?
If an employee is required to work on a statutory holiday, they are entitled to be paid for the hours they work on that day. In addition to that payment, the employer must also provide the employee with one of the following two options:
- An extra day's pay at the employee's regular rate of pay.
- A substitute paid day off to be taken at a later date, which is often called a "day in lieu."
Can statutory holidays be substituted in Quebec?
Yes, for Canada Day, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving, the employer can substitute another day off with majority employee agreement and if it falls within 3 weeks before or after the actual holiday
How does statutory holiday pay work during termination in Quebec?
During termination, employees only receive statutory holiday pay if the holiday falls within their employment period or notice period. If employment ends before a holiday with no notice period extending past it, no holiday pay is owed.
Can I lose my statutory holiday pay in Quebec?
Yes, if you're absent without permission or a valid reason on the working day before or after the holiday, you lose your right to holiday pay or compensatory time off.
Do part-time workers get statutory holiday pay in Quebec?
Yes, part-time workers receive statutory holiday pay using the same calculation as full-time workers (1/20 of last 4 weeks' wages), but the amount will be less based on hours worked.
Do I get statutory holidays during maternity leave in Quebec?
No, employees on maternity, paternity, or parental leave don't receive statutory holiday pay. The same applies to unpaid leave or extended sick leave.
Do students working summer jobs get statutory holidays in Quebec?
Yes, student employees have the same statutory holiday rights as other workers in Quebec. If they work during a statutory holiday period, they're entitled to holiday pay using the standard calculation.
How do statutory holidays in Quebec work for shift workers?
Shift workers in Quebec receive the same entitlements. If your shift falls on a statutory holiday, you get regular pay plus holiday pay or compensatory time. If not scheduled, you still get holiday pay.
