Statutory Holidays in Quebec 2025: The Complete List

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 2025. Read on for a detailed overview of Quebec’s holiday laws, compliance, and best practices.

What are the statutory holidays in Quebec for 2025

Here are the complete dates for statutory holidays in Quebec for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026:

Please note that employers can substitute Good Friday or Easter Monday with a written employee agreement.

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 on statutory holidays:

• Hourly or Salaried Employees: Entitled to their regular day’s wages as statutory holiday pay
• Commissioned Employees: Receive 1/60th of total commissions earned in the 12 previous weeks.
• Employees Working on the Holiday: Must receive a substitute day off in addition to their regular daily pay

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?

Employees required to work on a statutory holiday are entitled to premium pay by law in Quebec.

If the employee is qualified for the holiday, they must receive:

• Their regular daily wages are statutory holiday pay
• Overtime pay for any hours worked on the holiday

Alternatively, by agreement, the employee can receive:

• Regular wages for hours worked on the holiday
• A substitute day off with pay within three weeks

The premium pay compensates employees for working a statutory holiday instead of spending that time off.

Source: https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/en/working-conditions/leave/statutory-holidays/list-paid-statutory-holidays

Substitute Holiday Rules in Quebec

The Act Respecting Labour Standards contains provisions for substitute holidays under specific conditions. These rules apply to three statutory holidays: Canada Day, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving.

For these days, an employer can substitute a different day off if:

• The employer and the majority of employees agree in writing
• The substitute day is taken within three weeks before or after the actual holiday

This provides some flexibility in scheduling. However, employers cannot unilaterally impose substitute days and must secure employee agreement.

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 2025 include:

• Friday April 17 + Easter Monday April 21
• Friday May 15 + National Patriots’ Day May 18
• Friday June 23 + Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day June 24

Tip #2: Bookend Your Vacation with Statutory Holidays

The Christmas and New Year’s holidays provide the perfect bookends for a winter vacation. In 2025, you could take December 21-24 off and December 28-31 off to create an extended holiday break.

Tip #3: Plan Summer Vacations Around the Construction Holiday

Quebec’s last 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, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, and National Patriots’ Day statutory holidays all fall on Mondays in 2025. 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 2025 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 2025
• 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.

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