Statutory holidays in Quebec provide employees significant opportunities to rest, celebrate, and spend time with loved ones. For employers, statutory holidays impact payroll, scheduling, and operations.
This comprehensive guide covers everything employers and employees need to know about statutory holidays in Quebec in 2024.
We’ll explore each statutory holiday on the calendar, eligibility rules, pay calculations, operational impacts, and key dates. Read on for a detailed overview of Quebec’s statutory holiday laws, compliance, and best practices.
What Are The Statutory Holidays in Quebec?
Quebec has nine statutory holidays each calendar year:
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday or Easter Monday (employer’s choice)
- Victoria Day/National Patriots’ Day
- Fรชte nationale du Quรฉbec (Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day)
- Canada Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day (added in 2024)
Some key details:
- Most employees are eligible for statutory holiday benefits
- Employers can substitute a different day for some holidays under certain conditions
- Employees must work a certain period before/after the holiday to qualify
- Pay depends on whether the employee works the holiday or not
Statutory holidays provide essential opportunities for rest and time with family. However, they also impact payroll, scheduling, policies, and more for Quebec employers.
Eligibility for Statutory Holiday Pay and Time Off 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:
- Have three months of continuous service with the employer
- Have worked the scheduled shift before and after the holiday (with permission for absences)
Probationary employees with less than three months of continuous service are eligible if they meet a threshold for hours worked in the month preceding the holiday:
Months of Continuous Employment | Required Hours Worked in the Previous Month |
1 month | 60+ hours |
2 months | 120+ hours |
There are specific categories of employees exempt from statutory holiday eligibility rules, including:
- Management and professional staff
- Students working during holidays
- Some agriculture and aquaculture workers
It is the employer’s responsibility to verify eligibility for each employee per the Act.
Statutory Holiday Pay Calculation in Quebec
Employees who qualify for the holiday and do not work must receive their regular day’s wages as statutory holiday pay.
For employees paid by the hour, their regular hourly wage is multiplied by the number of hours in their standard workday.
For salaried employees, it is their standard salary for that day.
For employees paid commissions, including certain sales representatives, statutory holiday pay is calculated as 5.5% of gross wages, including commissions, in the 4 weeks preceding the holiday.
Overtime pay is not included in the calculation.
Employees who work on the holiday are entitled to their statutory holiday pay plus wages for hours worked at the standard rate or premium rate, depending on policies and collective agreements.
Read more: Minimum Wage in Quebec
Key Dates for Statutory Holidays in Quebec in 2024
Here are the critical dates for statutory holidays in Quebec in 2024:
Holiday | Date |
New Year’s Day | Monday, January 1 |
Good Friday | Friday, March 29 |
Easter Monday | Monday, April 1 |
Victoria Day/National Patriots’ Day | Monday, May 20 |
Fรชte nationale du Quรฉbec | Monday, June 24 |
Canada Day | Monday, July 1 |
Labour Day | Monday, September 2 |
Thanksgiving Day | Monday, October 14 |
Christmas Day | Wednesday, December 25 |
Boxing Day | Thursday, December 26 |
Again, employers can substitute Good Friday or Easter Monday with a written employee agreement.
It’s vital to sync these dates with your payroll calendar, schedules, operations calendars, and policies for smooth statutory holiday management.
Detailed Overview of Each 2024 Statutory Holiday in Quebec
Below, we’ll explore critical details on each of the statutory holidays in Quebec in 2024:
New Year’s Day – January 1
- First statutory holiday of the year
- Almost all employees qualify
- Celebrates the beginning of the new year
- Entitled to regular wages if day off
- Workday treated as usual if required to work
New Year’s Day is a paid day off for almost all employees in Quebec unless they are required to work for an essential service. It is an opportunity to recover from New Year’s celebrations and start the year relaxed.
Good Friday or Easter Monday – April 1 or March 29
- Employers choose which day to observe
- Celebrates Christian holiday
- Retail and restaurants may remain open
- Qualifying employees are entitled to regular wages if they have a day off
- Premium pay may apply if required to work
Quebec employers can select Good Friday or Easter Monday as the statutory holiday. Most businesses close, though some restaurants and retail establishments may remain open if publicly permitted. Employees required to work may receive premium pay.
Victoria Day/National Patriots’ Day – May 20
- Coincides with Victoria Day in other provinces
- Celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria
- Commemorates Patriotes of Lower Canada Rebellion
- Entitled to regular wages if day off
- No substitute day is allowed
This holiday combines Victoria Day with National Patriots’ Day, commemorating the Patriotes rebels of 1837. All employees are entitled to the day off with regular pay or premium pay if required to work this statutory holiday.
Fรชte Nationale du Quรฉbec – June 24
- Celebrates Quebec’s national identity
- Popularly known as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day
- Parades, parties, and fireworks
- Most employees qualify for paid days off
- No federal workers or self-employed
- Premium pay for working holiday
Fรชte Nationale du Quรฉbec honours Quebec’s patron saint Jean-Baptiste and celebrates Quebec nationalism. It is a paid day off for most workers, with celebrations including parades, concerts, and parties. Employees who work receive premium compensation.
Canada Day – July 1
- Celebrates the founding of Canada
- Federal statutory holiday across Canada
- Eligibility depends on employer and agreements
- It may be treated as a normal workday
- Public holiday – some businesses closed
Canada’s national holiday is a paid statutory holiday for many Quebec employees, though eligibility depends on specific employers and collective agreements. Most federal employees are off, and many businesses close for the day.
Labour Day – First Monday of September
- Celebrates contributions of workers
- Originated in late 19th century
- Entitlement to paid day off for most employees
- No substitute day is allowed
- Retail and restaurants often remain open
Labour Day honours the achievements and contributions of workers across Canada. Most Quebec employees receive the day off with pay. Retail stores and restaurants often remain open. Employees who work receive appropriate holiday compensation.
Thanksgiving – Second Monday of October
- Day of giving thanks
- Originated with harvest festivals
- Common family dinner celebrations
- Most employees receive paid days off
- Premium pay for working holiday
- No substitute day is allowed
Thanksgiving is a chance for families and friends to gather and express gratitude. Most employees receive the day off with regular pay. Those required to work receive appropriate holiday compensation. No substitute days are permitted by law.
Christmas Day – December 25
- Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ
- Public holidays across Canada
- Most Quebec employees are entitled to paid days off
- Premium pay for working holiday
- Many businesses and services closed
Christmas is a religious and public holiday commemorating the nativity of Jesus. Most employees in Quebec receive the day off with holiday pay, and employees who work on Christmas receive premium compensation.
Boxing Day – December 26
- Day after Christmas
- Not all provinces observe Boxing Day
- Popular for Boxing Week shopping sales
- Most employees are entitled to paid days off
- Retail may remain open with premium pay
Boxing Day is a statutory holiday in Quebec, the day after Christmas. While not all Canadian provinces observe it, most Quebec employees can take the day off with regular pay. Retail employees may work with appropriate compensation.
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
- 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.
Premium Pay for Working Statutory Holidays in Quebec
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 as 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.
Key Takeaways for Statutory Holidays in Quebec
The major takeaways on statutory holiday compliance and management in Quebec include:
- Nine statutory holidays in 2024
- 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 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.
While we have covered surrounding statutory holidays in Quebec, 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 Ontario
FAQs related to Statutory Holidays in Quebec in 2024
Who is eligible for statutory holidays in Quebec?
Most employees in Quebec are eligible for statutory holidays after 3 months of continuous service. This includes full-time, part-time, permanent and contract employees. Probationary employees may qualify if they meet a minimum hours threshold.
How is statutory holiday pay calculated in Quebec?
If an eligible employee has the statutory holiday off, they receive their regular daily wages as holiday pay. For hourly workers, it's the hourly wage x hours in a regular workday. For salaried employees, it's their prorated daily salary. For commissioned workers, it's 5.5% of gross wages in the prior 4 weeks.
What if an employee has to work on a statutory holiday in Quebec?
Employees who work on a statutory holiday must receive their regular statutory holiday pay, plus premium pay of 1.5 times their hourly wage for hours worked, or regular wages plus a substitute day off within 3 weeks.
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
What are some key compliance tips for statutory holidays in Quebec?
Key compliance tips include: plan schedules in advance, communicate policies clearly, update payroll systems, watch for unauthorized absences, pay accurately, and use holidays strategically for work-life balance.
Is Boxing Day a statutory holiday in Quebec in 2024?
Yes, Boxing Day on December 26, 2024 is a statutory holiday in Quebec. Most employees can take the day off with pay. It was added recently and is not observed in all provinces.