What Are the Statutory Holidays in Canada?

A statutory, or public, holiday, is mandated by the government at the federal, provincial or territorial level. They are usually, but not always, paid days off for public and private employees.

Variations

Statutory holidays in Canada vary from province to province. Each province has its own statutory holidays, as well as optional holidays and civic holidays.

Country-Wide

New Year's Day (January 1), Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday), Canada Day (July 1), Labour Day (first Monday of September) and Christmas Day (December 25) are the only country-wide statutory holidays.

Province-Specific

The following days are honored as statutory holidays in some Canadian provinces: Islander Day, Family Day, Louis Riel Day, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, National Aboriginal Day, Nunavut Day, Civic Holiday, Discovery Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day and Boxing Day.

Other Holidays

Optional holidays in Canada include St. Patrick's Day, St. George's Day, Fête Nationale and Discovery Day. Other holidays are celebrated nationwide but are not official days off: Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day and Halloween.

Legislation

Statutory holidays are almost always paid days off in Canada, or employees are offered a higher pay rate for work on statutory holidays.

References

• National and Provincial Statutory Holidays in Canada
• Employment Standards Legislation