Canadian stat holidays: Everything you need to know

Another year means another Google search for Canadian stat holidays in 2024 for HR pros everywhere!

Statutory holidays exist on the federal level in Canada. However, each province and territory have the jurisdiction to adapt these federal holidays and add their own specific regional holidays.

Keeping track of holidays can get confusing because of differences in federal and provincial regulations. But don’t worry. We got you.

In this guide, HRD outlines all you need to know about Canadian stat holidays and the essential information employers and employees should take note of.  

How many stat holidays are there in Canada in 2024?

There are five Canadian stat holidays on the federal level:

• January 1, New Year’s Day
• March 29, Good Friday
• July 1, Canada Day
• September 2, Labour Day
• December 25, Christmas Day

In Quebec, Easter Monday is a stat holiday instead of Good Friday. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada day is known as Memorial Day.

List of 2024 provincial stat holidays in Canada

Stat holidays in Canada vary across provinces. Some provinces opt out of national holidays while others observe their unique holidays. 

Here is a list of provincial stat holidays in Canada. 

Alberta

• Family Day: February 19, Monday
• Victoria Day: May 20, Monday 
• Thanksgiving Day: October 14, Monday 
• Remembrance Day: November 11, Monday

British Columbia

• Family Day: February 19, Monday
• Victoria Day: May 20, Monday
• British Columbia Day: August 5, Monday
• Thanksgiving Day: October 14, Monday
• Remembrance Day: November 11, Monday

Manitoba

• Louis Riel Day: February 19, Monday
• Victoria Day: May 20, Monday
• Thanksgiving Day: October 14, Monday

New Brunswick

• Family Day: February 19, Monday
• New Brunswick Day: August 5, Monday
• Remembrance Day: November 11, Monday

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Memorial Day: July 1, Monday
• Remembrance Day: November 13, Wednesday

Nova Scotia

• Heritage Day: February 19, Monday

Northwest Territories 

• Victoria Day: May 20, Monday
• National Indigenous Peoples Day: June 21, Friday
• Civic Holiday: August 5, Monday
• Thanksgiving Day: October 14, Monday
• Remembrance Day: November 11, Monday

Nunavut

• Victoria Day: May 20, Monday
• Nunavut Day: July 9, Tuesday
• Civic Holiday: August 5, Monday
• Thanksgiving Day: October 14, Monday
• Remembrance Day: November 11, Monday

Ontario 

• Family Day: February 19, Monday
• Victoria Day: May 20, Monday
• Thanksgiving Day: October 14, Monday 

Prince Edward Island

• Islander Day: February 19, Monday
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: September 30, Monday
• Remembrance Day: November 11, Monday

Quebec

• National Patriots’ Day: May 20, Monday
• Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day: June 24, Monday
• Thanksgiving Day: October 14, Monday

Saskatchewan

• Family Day: February 19, Monday
• Victoria Day: May 20, Monday
• Saskatchewan Day: August 5, Monday 
• Thanksgiving Day: October 14, Monday
• Remembrance Day: November 11, Monday

Yukon 

• Victoria Day: May 20, Monday
• National Indigenous Peoples Day: June 21, Friday
• Discovery Day: August 19, Monday
• Thanksgiving Day: October 14, Monday 
• Remembrance Day: November 11, Monday

What holidays do federal employees get off in Canada in 2024?

There are 10 holidays that federal employees get off in Canada:

 

Who gets statutory holidays in Canada?

The employees in Canada that get statutory holidays vary, depending on the industry and employer. Generally, Canadian employees are granted time off for provincial holidays rather than federal holidays. 

In Canada, every job is regulated either by a provincial government or the federal government. If a job is regulated by the federal government, employees will receive federal holidays instead of provincial holidays.

On occasion, provincial holidays coincide with federal holidays, such as Christmas or New Year's Day, but this is not always the case. If a job does not fall under the umbrella of federally regulated industries, employees should refer to the employment standards set by the province or territory of employment. 

Are part-time employees paid on stat holidays?  

Part-time, federally regulated employees have the right to receive payment for the same 10 statutory holidays as full-time employees. However, holiday pay is adjusted according to the number of hours worked. 

What provinces have the most stat holidays?  
The provinces that have the most stat holidays are:

• British Columbia
• Northwest Territories
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Do Canadians get paid on stat holidays?

All Canadians are entitled to paid time off on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day, and Christmas Day. This is true whether they’re federal employees or non-federal employees. Employment contracts should state that these dates will be paid with full salary. This is also to avoid future employment disputes. 

Federal employees are also entitled to the following as days off with pay: Easter Monday, Victoria Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving, and Boxing Day. Non-federal employers are not required to provide these holidays off. 

What happens when a stat holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday?

When a statutory holiday falls on a weekend, it is typically observed on the following Monday. Examples of this are New Year’s Day, Canada Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Remembrance Day 2023. 

For federally regulated employees

If any of the following holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday, and it is a non-working day, federal employees are entitled to receive a paid holiday on the working day before or after the statutory holiday:

• New Year's Day
• Canada Day
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Remembrance Day
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

However, if any other holiday not listed above falls on a non-working day, a holiday with pay may be added to the employee’s annual vacation. Employers may grant the holiday with pay at a mutually convenient time.

Pay when working on a stat holiday

If an employee is entitled to statutory holiday pay and they are asked to work on a stat holiday, the employer must pay a minimum of 1.5 times the regular rate of wages for the time worked on that day. 

Managers and professionals who are required to work on a stat holiday are entitled to their standard rate of pay but must receive an additional holiday with pay. 

If an employer does not calculate wages on a daily, hourly, or time basis, the payment calculation is different. In this case, the employer must pay the average of the employee’s wages for the 20 days worked immediately preceding the stat holiday, excluding any overtime pay. Employers must also pay regular rate of wages in addition to the holiday pay for that day.

Pay for employees of a “continuous operation” employer

Continuous operations run without regard for holidays or weekends and do not follow a fixed 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday schedule.

Employees who are essential for continuous operation are subject to different requirements. However, for those employees who support the continuous operation during normal weekly business hours, the general provisions apply.

There are 3 ways continuous operation employers can pay employees who are required to work on a stat holiday:

• Pay 1.5 times the regular rate of pay for the hours worked on the statutory holiday, in addition to statutory holiday pay
• Pay for the hours worked on the statutory holiday and provide an additional holiday with pay on a day convenient for both employer and employee
• Pay for the first day that the employee does not work after the statutory holiday, if allowed under the collective agreement (if there is one)

If an employer schedules its employee to work on a statutory holiday, but they do not report to work that day, the employer is not required to pay for the statutory holiday.

What happens when a stat holiday falls during an employee’s leave period?

For federally regulated employees

Federally regulated employees are eligible to receive statutory holiday pay if a stat holiday occurs while they are on any of the following leaves: personal leave, leave for victims of family violence, or bereavement leave.

Suppose an employee’s work hours vary each day or an employer does not pay wages based on time worked. In that case, the regular rate of wages will be either:

• the average daily earnings, excluding overtime pay, for the 20 days worked immediately preceding the initial day of the paid leave period
• an amount calculated by a method agreed upon in the collective agreement, provided there is one

What to remember with 2024’s Canadian stat holidays

In Canada, statutory holidays are public holidays that are legislated at a federal or provincial level. These holidays are a mix of cultural, national, or religious events; most workers are entitled to a paid day off on these days.

Since Canada is a country of different provinces and territories, the rules regarding labour standards can vary greatly. This means that Canadian stat holidays can differ from province to province, with some provinces opting out of national statutory holidays and others observing their own unique holidays.

It's not just the days themselves that can be different, though. Because the bulk of Canadian employment law is provincial, each province has its own distinct rules for calculating holiday pay, determining how holidays are observed when they fall on weekends, and deciding who is exempt from statutory holiday rules.

Need help figuring out Canada Day, as an example? Review our article on employer responsibilities on Canada Day and apply it to other stat holidays through the year.

Have any questions about Canadian stat holidays? Let us know in the comments section below.